NPAD seeks factional balance in key post appointments

The main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD) on Friday appointed Choo Mi-ae, a fourth-term lawmaker, and former labor leader Lee Yong-deuk as its top decision-making committee members. As the two are the members of the party`s non-mainstream factions, their appointment is seen to be reflecting its new chairman Moon Jae-in`s promise of fairer and more balanced appointments and his will to expand the party`s nationwide support base.

The NPAD`s supreme council consists of nine members, of whom five are elected and another two are appointed. The other two are ex-officio members -- the party`s chairman and floor leader.

Choo, who is from Daegu, is an influential member of the party. She entered politics at the recommendation by former President Kim Dae-jung and is considered a non-mainstream member of the party without any clear factional affiliation. She stayed in the then Millennium Democratic Party in 2003 when a majority of members supporting former President Roh Moo-hyun bolted out to create the Uri Party.

It is the fourth time that Lee, who is from Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, takes the position of a supreme council member. Since the Democratic Party merged with the Citizens Unity Party and the Federation of Korean Trade Unions to create the Democratic United Party in December 2011, he has continued to take the position representing the labor community. He is also the head of the NPAD`s national labor committee.

The NPAD also put Rep. Lee Choon-seok from North Jeolla Province in charge of its strategic communication. He is considered a member of a faction close to Sohn Hak-kyu and served as the party`s deputy floor leader and spokesman.

The latest appointments are the third round since the party`s new chairman took office last Sunday. Overall, Moon has so far appointed members of major factions to key posts, except for those close to former co-chairmen Kim Han-gill and Ahn Chul-soo. The NPAD leadership plans to fill the remaining party posts including spokespersons and chief deputy secretary general.