Busy Even After Retirement, Moon... From Government Criticism Messages to Complaints

"Former President's Excessive Involvement"
Opposition: "Natural as a National Elder"

Former President Moon Jae-in, who has retired, is raising a clear voice on political issues, increasing interest in his future moves. The level of criticism toward the current government has also intensified. While he previously expressed political opinions indirectly through 'book recommendations' related to current issues, recently he has been delivering messages more directly, even mentioning the presidential office.

He has appeared unfailingly on issues where the ruling and opposition parties show stark differences in opinion. Regarding the controversy over relocating the bust of General Hong Beom-do, he posted twice. Former President Moon said, "Removing the bust distorts history and is an act that damages the legitimacy and identity of the National Army and the Korea Military Academy itself," adding, "It would be appropriate for the presidential office to step in and resolve the controversy."

Regarding the Saemangeum Jamboree fiasco, he criticized, "We lost national dignity and pride. The shame has become the people's burden," and said, "As the president at the time of hosting the event, I express my apology and condolences." On the 1st, he reportedly made an encouraging call to Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who was on a hunger strike, saying, "I am calling because the reckless actions of the Yoon Seok-yeol government are so severe that the leader of the main opposition party is on a hunger strike, which is worrisome."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding the issue of discharging contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan, he engaged in an online debate with a ruling party lawmaker. When Ha Tae-kyung, a member of the People Power Party, claimed that "the response policies regarding contaminated water discharge are no different between the Yoon Seok-yeol government and the Moon Jae-in government," former President Moon responded, "Because of Ha Tae-kyung, I cannot help but say a word," and rebutted, "I oppose Japan's discharge of radioactive contaminated water. Also, I think the government's response to this issue is very wrong."

As former President Moon's frequency of criticizing the government increased, the presidential office expressed displeasure, saying, "It is problematic for a former president to intervene excessively." Some also pointed out that former President Moon is trying to involve himself too deeply in political issues.

Jang Sung-chul, director of the Public Opinion Center, appeared on MBC's 'News Outside' and said, "The former president criticizing and condemning the current president is likely to cause conflict with the previous administration. I hope both sides restrain their words," adding, "It should just be the Democratic Party and Lee Jae-myung fighting; I don't think former President Moon needs to join in."

On the other hand, there are also criticisms that the ruling party is the first to drag former President Moon into political strife. Park Min-sik, Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, recently sparked controversy by raising the possibility that former President Moon's father was pro-Japanese, and former President Moon plans to sue Minister Park for defamation of the deceased.

Former President Moon's side stated that as a senior statesman, he can express opinions on political issues. Yoon Gun-young, a Democratic Party lawmaker, said on KBS Radio, "Even a three-year-old child knows that the Yoon Seok-yeol government has problems right now," and added, "It's not strange that former President Moon is speaking out; I think it's stranger that President Yoon Seok-yeol is just folding his arms and watching as if watching a fire across the river."