Clash of 2 Roh Moo-hyun aides

In December 2000, then Transportation and Maritime Affairs Minister Roh Moo-hyun blasted then Democratic Party leader Kim Joong-kwon, saying, “It is my philosophy to win an opportunist to my side but to never serve him as a leader.” Kim was picked by then President Kim Dae-jung and was from North Gyeongsang Province, but went against the party’s identity. Kim Dae-jung was pursuing a policy to bring in people from the Gyeongsang provinces based on a Jeolla province member-led opposition party as a means to reestablish his power. Using Kim Joong-kwon was one of his strategies.

Roh was from the Gyeongsang region but believed he held an advantage in being elected as Democratic Party leader because he had long led the national democratization movement. To be in an advantageous position, Roh thought he had to make himself more representative. This is why he criticized Kim Joong-kwon, who had changed political lines. Roh`s strategy enabled him to beat Kim Joong-kwon for the party’s presidential nomination in 2002.

South Chungcheong Province Gov. Ahn Hee-jung, one of Roh’s closest aides, told Democratic Party leader Sohn Hak-kyu, “Legitimacy is the stem of history. If a branch of a tree assumes the role of a stem, the tree breaks down.” Though Ahn did not mention Sohn’s name, he meant politicians who were once members of the ruling Grand National Party are a stem. Sohn said the comment was phatic communication, but seemed to be bothered. Ahn’s words also hint at this plan to become a Democratic Party presidential candidate based in the Chungcheong provinces.

Former Gangwon Province Gov. Lee Kwang-jae, another close aide to Roh, said he supported Sohn. There is a difference between the pro-Roh Ahn and the more flexible Lee. Rhyu Si-min of the People’s Participation Party, who presents himself as chief officer for presidential security to Roh, plans to integrate the progressive Democratic Labor Party and opposition parties and then press the main opposition Democratic Party. To people who say Roh’s former presidential chief of staff Moon Jae-in should be a presidential candidate for the opposition, Rhyu said, “He`s a good person but unsuitable in current politics.” With the second anniversary of Roh`s suicide, people who supported the late president are taking separate steps.

Editorial Writer Jeong Yeon-wook (jyw11@donga.com)