[Private Residence Politics] If Former President Kim Dae-jung Were Alive Today...

①‘Donggyodong’ Embodying DJ's Philosophy... Key Figures of the People's Government
Representative Figures Kwon Nogap, Han Hwagap, Han Gwangok, Park Jiwon
Donggyodong Faction Emerging as a Variable in Next Year's General Election Political Realignment

[Asia Economy Reporters Ryu Jeong-min and Yoon Seul-gi]

Editor's NoteEvery year at the start of the new year, the residences of political leaders are bustling with visitors. During the era of factional politics and even afterward, key figures in Korean politics gathered there. The areas where these residences are located have become proper nouns themselves, forming a pillar of politics. Over five installments, we analyze the 'Private Residence Politics' centered around the homes of former presidents such as Donggyo-dong, Sangdo-dong, Bongha Village, Pyeongsan Village, Dalseong County, and Nonhyeon-dong.

The origin of the name Donggyo-dong faction is closely related to the circumstances of the 1970s. In the 7th presidential election in 1971, politician Kim Dae-jung (DJ) surprised the world by securing 45.25% of the vote. A figure who aspired to the presidency through election, he was a thorn in the side of the ruling forces under the Park Chung-hee government.

At a time when it took courage for the media to highlight the name Kim Dae-jung in headlines, the press naturally began to refer to his faction by the name of his residence, Donggyo-dong faction. Indeed, DJ's residence in Donggyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, became a bustling hub for politicians.

The Donggyo-dong faction, along with the Sangdo-dong faction, became symbolic terms of Korean factional politics. The loyalist group residing in Donggyo-dong witnessed the ups and downs of Korean political history. Key figures of the Donggyo-dong faction include former lawmakers Kwon No-gap and Han Hwa-gap, who shared life and death with DJ. Other members include former Presidential Chief of Staff Han Kwang-ok, former National Intelligence Service Director Park Ji-won, former National Assembly Speaker Moon Hee-sang, Representative Seol Hoon, and former lawmakers Kim Ok-du, Park Joo-sun, and Jang Sung-min.

The Donggyo-dong faction is a comrade relationship forged through trials such as advisement and imprisonment. What political mission do they hold? Former Director Park Ji-won said in a phone interview with Asia Economy on the 12th, “The philosophy of the Donggyo-dong faction is Korean democratization, improvement of inter-Korean relations, the economy of ordinary people, and protection of the socially vulnerable,” adding, “I want to be remembered as someone who has done such work, starting with myself.”

The 15th presidential election on December 18, 1997, was the brightest moment in the history of the Donggyo-dong faction. It was praised as the key player that led the first-ever peaceful transfer of power. It was recorded in history as the primary contributor to the birth of the People's Government. The reason the Donggyo-dong faction cannot be confined to a past chapter in political history is that it continues to influence current and future politics.

The Donggyo-dong faction seemed to have completed its historic mission with DJ's retirement in 2003. On January 2, 2003, then Presidential Chief of Staff Park Ji-won expressed the hope that “the term Donggyo-dong faction and such gatherings would no longer be used.” DJ announced the disbandment of the Donggyo-dong faction to the public.

The Donggyo-dong faction complied. However, even after 20 years, it remains a pillar of real-world politics. It is easy to assume that the Donggyo-dong faction has been aligned with the Democratic Party, but a review of history shows this is not always the case. In fact, there have been many instances where they stood on the opposite side politically.

The hidden key players behind the election of President Yoon Suk-yeol and former President Park Geun-hye are members of the Donggyo-dong faction. Former lawmakers Park Joo-sun and Jang Sung-min were prominent figures who worked hard for Yoon Suk-yeol's election. Park Joo-sun's appointment as the chairman of the presidential inauguration preparation committee is closely related to his contributions to the election.

Former President Park Geun-hye received help from former lawmaker Han Hwa-gap, known as the 'Little DJ,' during the election. Other Donggyo-dong faction members such as former lawmaker Han Kwang-ok also supported Park's victory. When President Park stepped down, her last Blue House Chief of Staff was Han Hwa-gap. Han Kwang-ok, who served as Chief of Staff to both Presidents Kim Dae-jung and Park Geun-hye, has a unique political career that leaves a political resonance surrounding the Donggyo-dong faction's trajectory.

The Donggyo-dong faction also experienced delivering a shock to the Democratic Party in general elections. The People's Party, which included Donggyo-dong faction politicians, stirred a green wave in Honam during the 20th general election in 2016. They swept all eight constituencies in Gwangju and captured 70-80% of the seats in Jeonnam and Jeonbuk.

Could the Donggyo-dong faction's movements be a variable in the 22nd general election next April? Currently, the Donggyo-dong faction is scattered across the Democratic Party, People Power Party, and the third political zone. If a political realignment occurs, the axis could be the Donggyo-dong faction. It might be more important to observe what kind of politics they demonstrate rather than the names of the parties they belong to.

Attention should be paid to whether those who benefited from DJ's halo effect are properly carrying out his legacy and how their actions will change the lives of the people. This is a point of interest for both Donggyo-dong faction members in the Democratic Party and those in the People Power Party.

Former lawmaker Lim Jae-hoon (People Power Party Anyang Dongan-gap District Committee Chairman), a member of the Donggyo-dong faction, said, “Even without the name and glory, the Donggyo-dong faction must act with the mindset of contributing to the people for the political paradigm to change,” adding, “If President Yoon Suk-yeol successfully opens a path toward national unity, he can become a successful president.”