Can pro-Roh figures play a leading role?

Former President Roh Moo-hyun died a tragic death three years ago. Moon Jae-in, senior adviser to the main opposition Democratic United Party and a longtime friend to Roh, said Sunday, “After the third anniversary (of Roh’s death), I might be able to leave off mourning.” In the opposition camp, however, “Roh Moo-hyun politics” linger. Party floor leader Park Jie-won said Tuesday at a joint speech session in Gwangju, “Gwangju and South Jeolla Province chose Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun. Let’s come together to create another Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun.”

Figures loyal to Roh called both ex-presidents a “deceased family” after the left`s loss to then Grand National Party candidate Lee Myung-bak in the 2007 presidential election by a margin of 5.3 million votes. A deceased family in this case refers to a family whose descendants cannot become public officials due to treacherous act committed by their ancestors. Pro-Roh forces said this because they could not influence politics for a long time due to the defeat. When Roh committed suicide three years ago, however, they called his death "murder by those with vested interests,” as if foul play was involved. In the 2010 local elections, pro-Roh figures such as Ahn Hee-jung, Lee Kwang-jae and Kim Doo-kwan were elected mayors and governors en masse. At the end of last year, Roh’s former close confidants Lee Hae-chan and Moon led the foundation of the Democratic United Party and took control of the party by supporting Han Myeong-sook as chairwoman. Their modesty has disappeared.

Pro-Roh groups took the lead in opposing the Korea-U.S. free trade agreement and the construction of a naval base on Jeju Island. Yet both projects were spearheaded by the Roh administration. Kim Byeong-joon, who served as head of policy at the presidential office under Roh, blasted those who opposed the accord, saying, “Back then, there was a reason for pushing ahead with the Korea-U.S. free trade agreement despite strong objections from progressive forces. But the discussion on scrapping the accord has begun with little consideration of our economic reality and historic direction.” Pro-Roh figures negated the achievements of their former president and contradicted themselves to prevent angering the minor opposition United Progressive Party, their partner in a pan-opposition alliance.

In the run-up to the election of Democratic United Party leader, pro-Roh figures are seeking collusion with forces based in the Jeolla provinces, calling this “unity.” Collusion is an alliance between the powerful to share rights, but in unity, the weak join forces to stand against the powerful. If pro-Roh figures grow influential by disappointing the people instead of promoting hope and vision, certain party members say, the Democratic United Party cannot take power in the December presidential election.

After losing in last month`s parliamentary elections, those loyal to Roh showed a misperception of the situation by saying they had "won in practice" instead of closely reflecting on themselves. The Korean people have sent a clear warning to the Democratic United Party, which is led by pro-Roh figures. Those loyal to Roh cannot gain broad public support if they fail to reform themselves.