Former President Moon Jae-in's Message as a Democratic Party Concern
Former President Lee Myung-bak Visits Cheonan Ship Memorial on 22nd
The presence of former presidents is growing in the political sphere, regardless of party lines. Former President Moon Jae-in has sparked a heated 'truth dispute' within the Democratic Party of Korea through 'relay politics.' There are also prospects that he will play a 'focal point' role for the pro-Moon faction at the bookstore soon to be completed in Pyeongsan Village. Former President Lee Myung-bak, who was once considered for the role of 'Middle East special envoy,' signaled the start of his active engagements by paying respects at the Cheonan ship memorial on the 22nd as his first official schedule after a special pardon.
Former Blue House Communications Secretary Park Soo-hyun appeared on YTN's 'News Jeongmyeon Seungbu' on the 21st and added to the controversy surrounding former President Moon's relay message, saying, "(Former President Moon) is not someone who would specifically say, 'There is no alternative presidential candidate other than Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party leader.'" Park served as the first Blue House spokesperson and the last communications secretary under the Moon administration.
The internal party dispute over former President Moon's relay message is not subsiding but rather intensifying. The controversy began when former National Intelligence Service Director Park Jie-won appeared on YTN radio on the 17th and conveyed that former President Moon said there was "no alternative other than Representative Lee Jae-myung." In response, on the 20th, Democratic Party lawmaker Park Yong-jin, from the anti-Lee faction, rebutted by saying that former President Moon "did not even mention Lee Jae-myung" and spoke about change, determination, and unity.
Then, on the 21st, Choi Jae-sung, a former Blue House political secretary classified as pro-Moon, supported former Director Park's statement on SBS radio, saying, "(Former President Moon) said, 'If not Representative Lee, there is currently no other way,'" and on the same day, former Secretary Park countered again. Former Secretary Park criticized, "The president said several times after his retirement that he wanted to live as a truly forgotten person, but to convey stories from a former president's private talks to the media on such sensitive issues and create any issue like this is somewhat inappropriate."
Regardless of the truth of the relay message, the fact that former President Moon's remarks have been summoned concerning Representative Lee's position is highly suggestive. Former Secretary Park called it a 'story from private talks,' but this means that every word from former President Moon exerts significant influence. As judicial risks escalate and calls for resignation grow mainly from the anti-Lee faction, Representative Lee's leadership is being shaken.
Former President Moon's influence on the opposition is expected to grow further. The bookstore in Pyeongsan Village, which is expected to be completed as early as this month, is anticipated to become a new focal point for the pro-Moon faction. The forum 'Sa-ui-jae,' formed by officials from the Moon administration, is also actively engaging and voicing opinions on political matters.
Former President Lee Myung-bak, who was reinstated by a special pardon at the end of last year, also began his first official schedule after the pardon by paying respects on the 22nd at the memorial for the Cheonan ship heroes and the fallen soldiers of the Yeonpyeong naval battle. At the time of the Cheonan ship sinking, Lee promised to visit the memorial for the fallen every year and continued to pay respects even after his retirement. When he was imprisoned in March 2018 and could no longer keep his promise, he asked aides and ministers who worked with him to visit on his behalf, and now, after five years, he has returned to the memorial himself. After visiting the National Cemetery, he wrote in the guestbook, "Honoring the spirit of dedication on the front lines of freedom, I will pray for the national prosperity and security of the Republic of Korea."
Many MB faction figures have been appointed to key positions in the Yoon Seok-youl administration, and among the ruling party figures known as 'Yunhaekgwan (Yoon's core associates),' many belong to the MB faction. With former President Lee resuming official schedules by visiting the National Cemetery, various role theories are expected to be raised in the political arena.
Former President Lee also attracted attention in January, shortly after his special pardon, with speculation about his role as a 'Middle East special envoy.' This followed President Yoon Seok-youl's phone call with Lee, sharing diplomatic achievements with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and requesting his role. During his tenure, Lee had exported nuclear power plants worth 21 trillion won to the UAE. Ultimately, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo drew a line by stating, "Nothing has been confirmed," putting the matter to rest for the time being.
He wields considerable influence within the party as well. Ahead of the party convention, candidates for party leader visited former President Lee one after another, and newly appointed leader Kim Ki-hyun visited Lee to greet him upon his inauguration. At this meeting, former President Lee supported President Yoon by praising the government's forced labor compensation plan, centered on 'third-party payment,' as "very well done."
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