As Moon Jae-in effectively declared a "YouTuber debut," criticism and complaints toward the former president are pouring out on online communities with a pro-Lee Jae-myung (pro-Lee) bent. Among former presidents, Moon is the first to embark on YouTube activities. In particular, as this coincides with recent moves by Jung Chung-rae, some observers say the rift among supporters within the Democratic Party camp could deepen.
On the 17th, on the YouTube channel "Pyeongsan Bookstore TV," former President Moon introduced the poetry collection "Now I Go Home" in a conversation format with former Blue House protocol secretary Tak Hyun-min. The book is a collection of poems written by 76 youths at the Gyeongnam Youth Foster Care Center who received protective entrustment in juvenile protection trials. The video also captured everyday scenes of Moon greeting residents and trimming sunflowers.
This is the first time a former president has been a regular presence on a YouTube channel and opened a channel of communication with the public. As of the morning of the 18th, a day after it was released, the video had some 3,000 comments.
Reactions from the pro-Lee support base to Moon's YouTube debut are largely negative. On "Lee Jae-myung Does It DC Inside Gallery," the leading community supporting President Lee Jae-myung, dozens of critical posts were uploaded over two days on the 17th and 18th. Comments included, "If you said you wanted to be forgotten, please stay quiet," "Why start YouTube at the moment the president is on an overseas trip," and "Just leave the Democratic Party," with even blunt attacks appearing. When it became known that Kim Ou-joon's "Humble Broadcasting Station" produced the video, reactions included, "Not unexpected," and "Kim Ou-joon again?"
In political circles, there is an interpretation that divisions within the Democratic Party's support base have become more pronounced online. It is said that the pro-Roh/pro-Moon faction based on the traditional Honam bloc and PK (Busan–Ulsan–Gyeongnam), and President Lee Jae-myung's "Seongnam line" based in Seongnam and Gyeonggi, are clearly separating after Jung Chung-rae took office as party leader.
Leader Jung is a former member of the fan club for former President Roh Moo-hyun, "Nosamo (People Who Love Roh Moo-hyun)," and is also known to have a close relationship with broadcaster Kim Ou-joon, who leads opinion among the pro-Moon base. Jung also frequently posted on the online forum of "Ddanzi Ilbo," which Kim runs. By his own account, he wrote about 1,500 posts over 10 years, and even last month, after taking office as party leader, he left a greeting that said, "I will do my best to promote the judicial reform bill as the party line and pass it at the plenary session." At a lecture at the "The Mincho" workshop, a freshman lawmakers' gathering held on Jeju Island on the 6th, he said, "Given the Democratic Party's support tendencies, Ddanzi Ilbo is the most barometer," drawing criticism that he is "swayed by a particular support base."
Reactions inside and outside the party are mixed over Moon's YouTube debut. A ruling bloc official said, "Former President Moon's moves are bound to be interpreted politically. In particular, the fact that the Democratic Party's support base is showing conflict centered online is a burden on the party." By contrast, a two-term lawmaker said, "There doesn't seem to be much need to pay close attention to the moves of a retired president."
There is also a view that Moon's YouTube appearance could widen cracks among the party's supporters going forward. Political commentator Park Sang-byeong said, "Former President Moon's YouTube appearance could be seen as an intention to play some role ahead of the local elections. If, along with Leader Jung's recent moves, the voices of the pro-Moon faction grow louder within the party, it could trigger conflict among Democratic Party supporters."