'Pro-Moon' Group in Neutral Zone Moves: "30 Oppose Basic Income... May Endorse Specific Candidate"

Lee Jae-myung Camp Reacts "Declared Dangerous Even Before Debate" "A 'Anti-Who' Perspective"
Kim Jong-in "Will Be Decided According to President Moon's Stance"

The Democratic Party presidential primary candidates attended the YTN-hosted TV debate held on the 4th at the YTN Media Center in Mapo-gu, Seoul, and had a photo session. Candidates Jeong Se-gyun (from left), Lee Nak-yeon, Chu Mi-ae, Kim Du-kwan, Lee Jae-myung, and Park Yong-jin.

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] Lee Jae-myung, governor of Gyeonggi Province and so-called ‘non-Moon (anti-Moon Jae-in faction)’ presidential candidate, is maintaining his position as the top candidate in approval ratings, while there are growing observations that the pro-Moon faction may be starting to take concrete steps to counter him.

Pro-Moon lawmakers who are not officially affiliated with any candidate, including Lee Jae-myung and Lee Nak-yeon, have begun voicing criticism of Lee’s ‘basic income’ policy. With President Moon Jae-in’s approval ratings still holding in the 40% range, which candidate the president’s supporters back could become a decisive variable in the upcoming presidential race. Recent moves by the pro-Moon faction can be interpreted in this context. Lee’s camp suspects the criticism of basic income is approached from a distinctly ‘anti-someone’ perspective, questioning the sincerity of the opposition.

On the 18th, one pro-Moon Democratic Party lawmaker among the 20 who proposed the basic income policy debate told Asia Economy in a phone interview, "There is a possibility of expressing support in the form of co-signing for a candidate other than Lee." He also mentioned that beyond the 20 lawmakers opposing Lee’s basic income policy, there are more who might express support for a specific candidate.

He added, "Although they did not participate in the recent statement, there are about 10 more lawmakers in a neutral zone who share similar views opposing basic income." Another Democratic Party lawmaker said on the same day, "Depending on how much former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon narrows the gap in approval ratings with Lee Jae-myung, a pro-Moon endorsement could emerge."

The pro-Moon faction’s criticism of basic income within the Democratic Party has also attracted attention from figures outside the party. Former People Power Party emergency committee chairman Kim Jong-in recalled the 2002 Democratic Party presidential primary and mentioned the ‘direction of Moon’s support.’ In a radio interview the day before, he commented, "(In 2002) three months before the primary, candidate Roh Moo-hyun had only 1.5% approval. That person ultimately defeated Lee In-je. I think President Kim Dae-jung had a decisive influence, and this time as well, it will depend on the stance President Moon Jae-in ultimately takes."

Lee’s camp is strongly opposing the policy debate proposal, suggesting it has ulterior motives. Woo Won-shik, chairman of Lee Jae-myung’s campaign committee, wrote on Facebook that "If candidates agree and the party’s election commission hosts it, we will accept (the basic income debate) anytime," but criticized, "There is regret toward the lawmakers who proposed the debate. They labeled the basic income system as a dangerous policy even before the debate started." He also pointed out, "If the proposal was not linked to a specific candidate and was made with a more open mind, it would have shown sincerity."

Kim Woo-young, former secretary for local autonomy development at the Presidential Secretariat and head of political affairs for Lee Jae-myung’s campaign, directly criticized some self-proclaimed pro-Moon figures the day before, saying, "Some who claim to be pro-Moon are just riding on others’ coattails?wake up." He also appeared on the radio that day, stating, "They are approaching the issue from an anti-someone perspective." Lee is currently leading among ruling party candidates in various polls, but there is still considerable time until the primary on October 10. If no candidate wins a majority, the top two will face a runoff. Given the current approval rating landscape, a runoff between Lee and former leader Lee Nak-yeon seems likely, meaning the pro-Moon faction’s moves could partially influence the final candidate selection.

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