Opposition Launches Full-Scale Offensive Over Democratic Party Charter Revision... "President Moon Must Clarify His Position"

Fierce Criticism Over 'Sexual Harassment By-Election' and Third Harm
Joo Hoeyoung: "86% of Democratic Party Members Lack Conscience"
Ahn Cheolsoo: "Don't Hide Behind the Excuse of Party Members"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy, reporter Lim Chunhan] Opposition parties, including the People Power Party (PPP) and the People’s Party, launched a full-scale offensive against the Democratic Party’s decision to field candidates in next April’s Seoul and Busan mayoral by-elections following a party-wide vote and amendment of the party constitution. They demanded that President Moon Jae-in personally clarify his position on the matter.

Kim Chongin, Chairman of the PPP Emergency Response Committee, criticized the decision, telling reporters after the committee meeting at the National Assembly on November 2, 2020, “It is hard to understand how a promise made to the public can be overturned by nothing more than a party member vote. I doubt anyone will find this acceptable.” Joo Hoeyoung, PPP floor leader, also condemned the move, telling reporters after a budget policy meeting at Daegu City Hall on the same day, “86% of Democratic Party members have now publicly revealed their lack of conscience to the people.”

Sung Iljong, a member of the PPP Emergency Response Committee, said during the meeting, “President Moon should clarify his stance regarding next year’s ‘sexual crime by-election.’ The Democratic Party is a party that changes its stance at will.” He continued, “How long has it been since they rammed through the election law and the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials Act via the fast-track process, promised not to create a satellite party, and then reversed that promise through a party member vote? People are questioning how a party that claims to be women-friendly, boasts a feminist president, and promotes gender sensitivity education could become so fickle.”

Kim Mi-ae, another committee member, argued, “President Moon must personally demand an end to the Democratic Party’s arrogant and irresponsible decision to willingly participate in the April 2021 by-elections, which are being held due to sexual harassment.” She added, “The Democratic Party, which already caused secondary harm by using the unheard-of term ‘victim complainant,’ is now attempting a third round of harm.” Kim Hyunah, another committee member, described the situation as a “pre-determined answer” and pointed out, “When President Moon was party leader, he made a promise and codified it in the party constitution. The reason for the by-election is a sexual harassment case, and I didn’t realize the seriousness of this issue could be treated so lightly.”

During the committee meeting, the PPP displayed a backdrop reading, “Shouldn’t field a candidate - Moon Jae-in, then leader of the New Politics Alliance for Democracy.” This was a direct reference to President Moon’s previous pledge that the party would not nominate candidates in by-elections caused by its own members’ wrongdoing-a policy that the Democratic Party has now overturned through a party-wide vote.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The People’s Party also took direct aim at President Moon. Ahn Cheolsoo, leader of the People’s Party, told reporters after the party’s Supreme Council meeting, “They are hiding behind the excuse of party members. This is an insult to the people. Back when President Moon was party leader, he made a big show of taking a strong and virtuous stance on this issue and reaped all the benefits. But after becoming president, he’s acting as if it’s none of his concern. The president, not just the party leader, must clarify his position on this matter.” He further proposed, “In cases of by-elections caused by serious crimes committed by elected officials, we should legally prohibit the party responsible from nominating candidates for public office.”

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