Rep. Moon Jae-in, chairman of the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy, said the passage of reform measures by its executive members this week reflected their demand that the party should be overhauled to win future elections.
But the liberal opposition party, which has been embroiled in chronic internal feuding, still seems far from becoming a credible alternative to the conservative ruling Saenuri Party. It is closer to reality that many NPAD members are gripped by a mounting concern that their party may be defeated in next year’s parliamentary elections and the 2017 presidential vote.
With his leadership challenged by nonmainstreamers in the wake of the crushing defeats in the April by-elections, Moon said he would step down from his post if the reform package was not endorsed. He also pledged to push for a separate vote of confidence on his leadership.
The result of the party’s central committee meeting Wednesday was anticipated as the pro-Moon faction commanded an overwhelming majority. Nonmainstream members walked out as their demand for a secret vote on the reform measures, including ways to select candidates for parliamentary elections, was turned down. The scene of Moon’s supporters passing the reform package with unanimous applause appeared far from reassuring voters of its future.
What was done at Wednesday’s meeting was not to put a lid on the party’s internal feud but to open the gates for another round of factional strife.
Moon, who lost the 2012 presidential election to Saenuri candidate Park Geun-hye, has so far failed to show inclusive leadership needed to transform his party into an election-winning force.
He now seems more cautious on pushing for a confidence vote over objections from minority factions to avoid amplifying an internal discord.
He suggested in an interview with a local daily Thursday that he would seek a merger with splinter opposition parties ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for April. This political gambit would do little to ensure an electoral victory unless his party departs from its uncompromising and confrontational stance which is out of tune with public sentiment.
Moon should focus on shifting his party from being preoccupied with holding back the ruling camp to putting forward constructive alternatives that could win voters’ hearts. This task will need him to be more flexible and inclusive toward his intraparty opponents.
