hankyoreh

By Son Won-je, staff writer
Moon Jae-in unveiled his vision for a joint administration with Ahn Chul-soo.
Moon, a leading opposition party presidential contender and Democratic United Party permanent adviser, described the plan in a telephone interview Thursday with the Hankyoreh. Moon said he was interested in a joint governance arrangement with software mogul Ahn, who enjoys wide popularity despite having made no commitment to enter politics.
Moon said, “I think we should be looking less at a situation where the person who wins the race becomes the candidate and takes power, and more toward establishing a coalition government.”
“The key will be a consolidation with Ahn Chul-soo, which I definitely think is possible,” Moon continued.
Analysts interpreted Moon’s remarks as an overture to Ahn for settling on a final candidate on the premises of a joint government between the two, regardless of who emerges as the final contender. Along the lines of the so-called “DJP” coalition between Kim Dae-jung and Kim Jong-pil ahead of the 1997 presidential election, which the former won, the arrangement would involve both men taking the governance reins, one as President and the other as Prime Minister.
“We’re very similar in our desire to see a change in administrations, on the future direction and values for South Korean society, and in our zeitgeist,” Moon said of Ahn. “We certainly could be a team.”
Moon also said the joint governance arrangement was “essential for a presidential victory, but if we do come to power, it would also be significant in broadening the base for the stable pursuit of various policies, including economic democracy and expanded welfare services.”
He went on to say, “If I do declare my candidacy for the presidential election, I will be judged by the people on my zeitgeist [as a candidate] and my dedication to making it a reality.”
“If I receive the support of the public, I will play a leading role in embodying that zeitgeist, and if that’s not the determination of the public, then I certainly think I could play a supporting role in a change of administrations,” he added.
Moon said that former Presidents Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun had to pursue coalitions with people of completely different identities in Kim Jong-pil and Chung Mong-joon, respectively. “Today, you can win a presidential election with a proper alliance between democracy and reform advocates,” he said.
The most salient feature of Moon’s vision is the idea of using that arrangement as a means of settling on a single candidate. In the past, the idea of a pan-opposition candidate selection from among DUP contenders like Moon, as well as Ahn and United Progressive Party (UPP) candidates, was mentioned by many observers as necessary for an opposition win in December. It has been seen as the only realistic means of pulling off a victory at a time when the ruling New Frontier Party’s front-runner, Park Geun-hye, holds a strong lead.
The joint governance concept is being read as a way of establishing the concrete footing needed for rallying behind a final opposition candidate. Instead of an arrangement where the person who emerges as the candidate based on a contest or opinion polls holds all the power, it would involve allowing the losing side a portion of the power. The rationale is that this would not only provide a solid foundation of trust for combined efforts toward an opposition victory after the final decision, but also allow for stable governance post-election with a strong footing of political forces.
Observers said that if this does become a reality, the winning party would likely serve as President and the second-place finisher as Prime Minister based on the outcome of a final candidate selection between Ahn and DUP contenders such as Moon. Cabinet and personnel nomination powers would be divided, as with the DJP coalition. Moon anticipated that the complementary arrangement would help in establishing public trust, as he and Ahn could each focus on their strengths. Ahn is widely recognized for his expertise in economic issues such as conglomerate reforms and development of the IT industry, while Moon is seen as a stable veteran with governance experience as former Blue House Chief of Staff. And if the UPP agrees to the arrangement, it too could have a part of governance through ministerial positions.
Moon was optimistic about the practicality of the plan, voicing the view that he and Ahn closely allied philosophically.
“On the opposition side, [Ahn] has the high support levels and I’m trailing, but ours is a relationship of mutual trust and respect. If necessary, I’ll meet with him to discuss this,” he said.
Given the mutual confidence, some observers are saying the final candidate may not necessarily be decided based on a popular contest.
An adviser to Moon said, “There is the question of whether it’s really possible to have another big contest to select a single opposition candidate after the party’s candidate election.”
“If there is an agreement on the joint governance idea, we might have discussions on another, more convenient method,” the adviser added, indicating the possibility of a dramatic final candidate decision based on opinion surveys, negotiation, or a concession.
　
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