Chung Cheong-rae's 'Roh Moo-hyun Spirit' Emphasis Sparks Backlash; 'Authenticity' Debate Reignited

A dispute has erupted within the Democratic Party over the legacy of former President Roh Moo-hyun, as a presidential candidate emphasizes his past affiliation with the pro-Roh group 'Nosamo' (People Who Love Roh Moo-hyun). This has drawn a strong reaction from the former representative of Nosamo, who issued a statement denouncing the candidate's claims.

The former national representative of Nosamo, known by the nickname 'Dalbaragi,' stated that the group officially dissolved in September 2019. He asserted that Nosamo was never intended to be a political tool for any faction or individual seeking to expand their power. The statement further condemned the recent use of the 'Nosamo' name and symbols, such as T-shirts and yellow pinwheels, in political campaigns, calling it a distortion and misuse of the group's identity.

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Nosamo is not a political banner for the expansion of power by a specific faction or individual.

Dalbaragi specifically targeted a faction that was previously at odds with Nosamo, referencing their support for candidate Chung Dong-young in 2007 under the banner 'Jeongtong' (People Connected to Chung Dong-young). He accused this group of now appropriating the original Nosamo identity for their political needs, which he described as a historical distortion and a profound contradiction.

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The recent situation in the party convention, where being called 'Jeongtong' is seen as a political necessity, and the need for Democratic Party reform are starkly revealed.

The controversy centers on presidential candidate Chung Cheong-rae, who has repeatedly highlighted his background as a Nosamo member and invoked the 'authenticity' of the Democratic Party. Chung was one of the figures who spearheaded the formation of 'Jeongtong' in 2007. He recently stated his involvement with Nosamo in 2002, aiming to help Roh Moo-hyun win the presidency, and noted his connections to four presidents without ever speaking ill of them. He also used his Nosamo background to criticize a rival candidate, Kim Min-seok, for his past actions during the 2002 presidential election's unification process.

Supporters of Chung Cheong-rae have pushed back, with a prominent figure arguing that the current atmosphere within the party, where not aligning with certain factions leads to criticism, highlights the need for reform. They maintain that Chung is a genuine Nosamo member, suggesting that Nosamo itself could be seen as anti-Kim Min-seok. The former Nosamo representative clarified that his statement was made in a personal capacity, aiming to prevent the misuse of the Nosamo name, and expressed a desire for future-oriented discussions in the party leadership race rather than dwelling on past conflicts.

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I was a Nosamo member. In 2002, during the unification process between President Roh Moo-hyun and Chung Mong-joon, the actions of Rep. Kim Min-seok still remain a pain. Wasn't going to Chung Mong-joon a betrayal?