hankyoreh

Moon Da-hye (second from right) holds a bouquet of flowers for her father

South Korean President Moon Jae-in is the most prominent member of the ruling Democratic Party. But did his 35-year-old daughter Da-hye follow her father’s lead and join the Democratic Party? The president and daughter, it turns out, have made different choices. After the presidential election in May 2017, Da-hye became a member of the Justice Party, the Hankyoreh learned on Jan. 29.

According to sources at the Blue House and the Justice Party who spoke with the Hankyoreh on Jan. 29, Da-hye is currently serving as a member of the Justice Party. On Jan. 2, she attended a group screening of the film “1987” with Justice Party leader Lee Jeong-mi that was organized by the party and met Lee at the screening. Da-hye’s identity reportedly came to the attention of the Justice Party during the screening. Prior to that, the party had been unaware that the “Moon Da-hye” on its rolls was the daughter of President Moon Jae-in.

“Da-hye attended the movie screening on the invitation of a friend who is a member of the Justice Party, and this same friend introduced her to Lee Jeong-mi,” said a source with the Justice Party. President Moon reportedly respects his daughter’s political position and choice.

Even after Moon Jae-in entered politics, Da-hye remained out of the view of the public until May 8, 2017, the day before the presidential election, when she attracted attention by appearing on stage with her son (President Moon’s grandson) at her father’s final campaign rally. “A few days ago, I was really upset to see his bruised and swollen hands. For my entire life, I’ve always seen my father fulfilling his heavy responsibilities without complaining. I think that his steady path through life makes him the best prepared candidate for president,” Moon Da-hye said during the rally.

Be Lee Seung-jun, staff reporter

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