Kim Geun-sik: "Lee Nak-yeon dragged by hardline pro-Moon faction... Pro-Moon faction does not forgive traitors"

Geun-sik Kim, Chairman of the Seoul Songpa-byeong Party Committee of the People Power Party. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Kim Geunsik, the head of the People Power Party's Songpa-byeong district in Seoul, criticized the hardline pro-Moon faction, a core support group of the ruling party, on the 12th, saying, "Purism and subtractive politics have created the worst Korean politics."

On the same day, Kim posted on his Facebook, "After many twists and turns, the Donggyodong faction elders are reflecting and joining the party, but (the pro-Moon faction) oppose it like a swarm again," pointing out, "The pro-Moon faction never forgives or embraces traitors."

Earlier, Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, reportedly met with Jeong Dae-cheol, a senior member of the Donggyodong faction and former lawmaker, to discuss the issue of rejoining the Democratic Party. When some pro-Moon figures strongly opposed this, Lee drew a line on the rejoining rumors at the Supreme Council meeting that day, saying, "I believe the Donggyodong faction elders will support the Democratic Party in a senior manner from outside the party."

In response, Kim said, "Politics is the art of addition and integration that embraces the opponent. The reason former President Kim Dae-jung embraced JP (former Prime Minister Kim Jong-pil) and the Yeongnam conservatives is exactly that," explaining, "During the Roh Moo-hyun administration, the pro-Roh faction insisted on subtractive politics by splitting the Uri Party."

Kim pointed out, "Even the Donggyodong faction elders who say they are reflecting and joining the party are fiercely rejected, revealing their true colors," adding, "In this situation, Minister Park Young-sun of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups will also face difficulties in next year's Seoul mayoral by-election. Can the past of Minister Park, who was the 'leader of the anti-Roh faction,' be easily erased?"

He continued, "Minister Chu Mi-ae, who was a key figure in the impeachment and later defended the administration as party leader and Minister of Justice with the backing of the pro-Moon faction, has she truly been forgiven?" and analyzed, "In any case, Democratic Party lawmaker Park Jumin will be an unexpected variable."

Finally, Professor Kim addressed Lee, saying, "If you push for the Donggyodong faction's entry but, startled by the resistance of the pro-Moon forces, cancel it as if it never happened, Leader Lee Nak-yeon will inevitably be dragged by the hardline pro-Moon faction," adding, "Former President Kim Dae-jung admonished and led even his own supporters when they were wrong. It will not be easy for Leader Lee to perform a balancing act between Honam and the pro-Moon faction. I earnestly hope that additive politics will be restored."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.