During Claims of Prosecutorial Oppression Investigation, Drunk Driving Incident
Moon's Past Statement "Drunk Driving is Murder" Highlighted
Ruling People Power's Fierce Criticism vs Democratic Party's Predicament
Former President Moon Jae-in and Moon Da-hye, daughter of former President Moon [Image source=Yonhap News]
Former President Moon Jae-in's daughter, Dahye, was booked by the police on suspicion of drunk driving the previous day, putting the opposition parties in a difficult position on the 6th. Amid strong criticism of the prosecution's investigation targeting the Moon family, Dahye's drunk driving is hard to avoid public condemnation, and even former President Moon's past remark that "drunk driving is an act of murder" has been recalled.
At around 2:51 a.m. the previous day, Dahye collided with a taxi while changing lanes in front of the Hamilton Hotel in Itaewon, Yongsan-gu. Police breathalyzer results showed Dahye's blood alcohol concentration was 0.14%, which is above the license cancellation threshold (0.08%). The taxi driver reportedly sustained minor injuries. The prosecution is investigating allegations of preferential hiring of Seo, the son-in-law of former President Moon and Dahye's husband, at Thai Starjet. The Jeonju District Prosecutors' Office conducted a search and seizure of Dahye's residence in Seoul at the end of August. On the 12th of last month, Dahye posted on social media, targeting the prosecution's investigation, saying, "I am just a word that should be trampled on and dirtied to point a knife at my father."
As news of Dahye's accident spread, the People Power Party unleashed criticism. Representative Kim Jang-gyeom wrote on Facebook, "Someone who lived with the Blue House said drunk driving is murder. No matter how many fallacies my father's words have, some things must be heard." He added, "She said she wouldn't endure it, and finally took action." Representative Kim Hee-jung also introduced former President Moon's remarks, saying, "Every word was right," and added, "If a family member of the ruling party's president or a prominent politician had caused such an accident, what would the Democratic Party have commented? I am curious what they will say this time." Representative Na Kyung-won said, "The current leader of the Democratic Party, Lee Jae-myung, and the 'Gaeddal' are reckless drivers, and the daughter of the former Democratic Party leader and former president committed drunk driving," adding, "Their false agitation and hypocrisy, what is real and what is fake, will eventually be revealed."
On the morning of October 10, 2018, President Moon Jae-in presided over a senior secretaries and aides meeting at the Blue House, ordering the strengthening of penalties for drunk driving. [Asia Economy archive photo]
Political commentator Park Sang-gyu appeared on ‘YTN Newswide’ that day and called it "an inexcusable act of deviation." He continued, "Why was Moon Dahye, who was thought to be in Yangsan, Gyeongnam, driving alone in the middle of Itaewon, Seoul, at dawn and caused such an accident?" He said, "She should just bow her head and apologize; no excuse will work for such an accident." He also referred to former President Moon's past remarks, saying, "I can only think that his eldest daughter did that (drunk driving is an act of murder)," and added, "Because she committed an act that could have killed someone, no excuse is acceptable, and strict measures allowed by law must be taken. And before that, she must apologize to the public."
In contrast, Park Chan-dae, floor leader of the Democratic Party, said at a press conference held at the National Assembly that day in response to questions about the matter, "(Drunk driving) is something that should not be done," adding, "Would the party's position be any different?" He said, "There is nothing special to say. I think this much is enough."
Earlier, in October 2018, former President Moon said at a senior secretaries' meeting, "Drunk driving accidents are not mistakes but acts of murder, and they can completely ruin other people's lives," and instructed to strengthen punishment even for first-time offenders.
At the time, former President Moon referred to a petition on the Blue House's national petition board demanding strict punishment for drunk driving traffic accidents. This petition was raised after an incident in Busan where a heavily intoxicated driver in a BMW sedan ran onto the sidewalk, injuring four people, including soldiers on leave, with serious to moderate injuries. The petition was titled "My friend's life was destroyed by a drunk driving traffic accident."
Former President Moon urged, "Given the high likelihood of recidivism in drunk driving, I hope that even first-time offenders will face strengthened punishment and increased post-education time, and that measures to prevent repeat offenses will be further reinforced."
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