hankyoreh

By Lee Seung-jun and Seo Bo-mi, staff reporters.

As opposition to Moon Chang-geuk‘s nomination as Prime Minister grow louder and include calling the former Joong-Ang Ilbo editor-in-chief a “posthumous executioner of two former Presidents,” tensions across the aisle have many observers saying President Park Geun-hye’s “uncommunicative approach” is exacerbating divisions.

“Ever since the Sewol ferry sinking, a consensus has been developing in South Korea that we need to put an end to this partisan divisiveness and unite conservatives and progressives,” said a senior lawmaker in the New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD) on June 11, speaking on condition of anonymity.

“President Park‘s choice of Moon Chang-geuk is a direct challenge to that trend toward unity,” the politician complained and made reference to Moon’s injurious actions towards two late presidents, Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun.

Another key party figure expressed similar disappointment at the decision by saying, “When I heard the nomination for Prime Minister, I thought, ‘It looks like the President really wants to take on the opposition here.’” At issue are columns Moon wrote during his tenure at the Joong-Ang Ilbo. When former President Kim‘s health had been failing, Moon had written, “It is a shame he has not cleared the air about the slush fund allegations.” After President Roh’s death, Moon had opposed the idea of a national funeral and wrote, “Should a person who has served as president end his life in such a way?”

On June 11, the Kim Dae-jung Peace Center and the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation put out a joint statement urging the withdrawal of Moon‘s nomination stating: “Mr. Moon’s columns failed to observe basic decency toward human beings, and were not fit for a journalist with an obligation to observe fairness, let alone a current candidate for Prime Minister.”

At a supreme council meeting held by the NPAD the same day, Co-Chairman Ahn Cheol-soo issued a scathing message to Park. “Healthy criticism must be distinguished from insults and mockery. It is disappointing to see someone nominated for Prime Minister who has insulted and mocked former Presidents in the name of the press, without the least bit of decorum,” Ahn said.

Members of the NPAD are signaling that it plans to screen Moon‘s candidacy rigorously. In response, the ruling Saenuri Party (NFP) has said it plans to do what it can for Moon. One senior lawmaker is saying, “When it comes to ethical issues, we cannot protect him in the vetting process, but we are willing to fight on philosophical issues and political leanings.” At this point, observers suggest Moon’s pick stands to leave the two sides on even worse terms than they are already.

To all outward appearances, the NFP has welcomed the selection of Moon, who it has called “a man of reason and integrity,” but the reception inside the Party has been more mixed. The main concern is that while Moon‘s ethics may have been tested, his political ability has not.

“A Prime Minister has to play the role of coordinator, overseeing all the different agencies and bringing people together when there is social conflict,” said one first-term lawmaker on condition of anonymity. “But because Moon’s abilities have not been tested,” the lawmaker added, “We are not even in a position to say he has been a disappointment.”

Another senior lawmaker weighing in with concerns said, “In the past, one would have been able to look at someone‘s record and be able to screen them indirectly, but now that is not an option.” The lawmaker added,

“This is one nomination where the Blue House has kept everyone in the dark.”

During a meeting on the same day with reporters Moon himself hinted at further controversy by disavowing government reforms that appear to be underway, “This is the first I have heard about increased authority for the role of Prime Minister.” This has set off an alert to analysts as during her campaign, now-President Park Geun-hye had indicated a desire to strengthen the authority and responsibility of the prime minister.

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