"Hide When Disadvantaged and Avoid Stating Position"... How Long Will 'Moon's Silence' Last?

Conflict between Chu and Yoon, Democratic Party's silence on party charter revision...
Opposition: "President has shut up... 'Selective silence' is a big problem"

President Moon Jae-in is removing his mask to deliver the 2021 budget address at the National Assembly plenary session on the 28th of last month. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy reporters Han Seung-gon and Kang Joo-hee] As the Democratic Party of Korea amended its party constitution and regulations to field candidates for the Seoul and Busan mayoral by-elections scheduled for next April, criticism is rising that President Moon Jae-in, who created the relevant clause, remains silent. Every time the administration faces unfavorable situations, including the conflict between Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae and Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, President Moon has refrained from taking a clear stance, drawing sharp criticism.

On the 3rd, the Democratic Party held a Central Committee meeting and finalized the amendment to the party constitution to nominate candidates for the Seoul and Busan mayoral by-elections. The amendment added the phrase "However, this can be otherwise decided through a vote of all party members" to Article 96, Paragraph 2 of the party constitution, which President Moon originally established in 2015 during his tenure as party leader for "political innovation," stating "If a by-election is held due to a serious wrongdoing by a Democratic Party public official, no candidate shall be recommended."

According to the original party constitution, the Democratic Party would have found it difficult to field candidates in this election. This is because the by-elections are being held due to vacancies caused by corruption scandals involving ruling party figures, the late Park Won-soon, former Seoul mayor, and Oh Keo-don, former Busan mayor. However, the Democratic Party pushed ahead with the amendment, arguing that "not fielding candidates could excessively restrict voters' choices," and ultimately decided to nominate candidates for the by-elections.

Despite criticism of "overturning the party constitution," the Democratic Party's insistence on the amendment has led to growing calls within political circles for President Moon to clarify his position on the clause he originally established.

There are demands to clarify whether the Democratic Party's decision to discard the so-called "Moon Jae-in party constitution" reflects the president's will. Criticism has also emerged that President Moon practices "selective silence," speaking out on issues favorable to the administration while remaining silent in unfavorable situations.

On the 3rd, Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, said at a floor strategy meeting, "We are asking for the president's stance on the amendment to the party constitution, which was established five years ago at the risk of his position, but the president has no response," adding, "It is the duty to the people to answer difficult questions as well as favorable ones."

President Moon Jae-in is presiding over a senior secretaries and aides meeting at the Blue House on the 26th of last month. Photo by Yonhap News

On the 4th, during the National Assembly's Steering Committee's audit, loud exchanges occurred over President Moon's silence.

When Kim Jung-jae, a People Power Party lawmaker, criticized the Democratic Party's amendment to the party constitution and questioned Chief Presidential Secretary Noh Young-min, saying, "President Moon is practicing selective silence. That is why he is mocked as a lip-progressive (someone who talks about progressivism but does not practice it)," Democratic Party lawmakers shouted back, calling it "an insulting remark against the president," "Are you auditing the Democratic Party now?" and "Ask proper questions."

President Moon's silence is not new. He has consistently refrained from taking clear positions whenever the government or ruling party faces unfavorable situations.

A representative example is the conflict between Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae and Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl. Despite repeated calls for President Moon, who appointed both, to mediate as their conflict deepened, only Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun has stated, "If unnecessary controversy continues, I will not hesitate to fulfill my role as prime minister," while President Moon has yet to intervene.

President Moon also remained silent amid controversies involving ruling party politicians such as former Chungnam Governor Ahn Hee-jung and former Busan Mayor Oh Keo-don. When the sexual harassment case involving former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon surfaced, President Moon only remarked, "He was someone I had a long relationship with, so it is very shocking," and the Blue House firmly stated that no official position would be expressed until the truth is clarified.

In addition, President Moon has consistently remained silent on incidents that caused significant social upheaval. In response, Floor Leader Joo Ho-young said, "To the opposition and many citizens, the lack of communication is too severe," and sent "10 questions to the president" twice in July and October.

The letter included questions about △ President Moon's stance on the Yoon Mee-hyang case △ responsibility for the failure of real estate policies and Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Hyun-mi △ reasons for silence on successive sexual crime cases involving Democratic Party metropolitan governors such as the late Park Won-soon, former Busan Mayor Oh Keo-don, and former Chungnam Governor Ahn Hee-jung △ the closure of the Wolseong Unit 1 nuclear reactor △ the issue of Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae △ the Lime and Optimus special investigations △ the situation of North Korea crossing the red line to prevent nuclear proliferation △ and parachute appointments.

Voices criticizing the "president's silence" have been growing louder both inside and outside political circles.

On the 4th, Kim Ki-hyun, a People Power Party lawmaker, wrote on his Facebook, "The president's mouth has been shut lately. It would be better if it were completely shut, but the problem is that he is practicing selective silence," adding, "He hides or avoids taking a stance when unfavorable, but steps forward or takes credit when favorable. This is truly strange."

Kim continued, "If the poet Han Yong-un's 'The Silence of You' was a strong belief in national liberation, President Moon's 'selective silence of you' is becoming a prelude to destruction that drives the country toward division," and criticized, "This intentional selective silence makes it difficult to recognize his qualifications as president. He is not the president of the Republic of Korea but is interpreted as expressing his will to remain only as the head of a faction, focusing solely on strengthening his power and protecting his faction."

On the 3rd, former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon shared a photo on Facebook of the three wise monkeys covering their eyes, ears, and mouth, criticizing the government and ruling party's lack of communication.

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