Rival politicians on Tuesday engaged in an off-the-wall argument over whose party had more ex-military servicemen in their ranks, prompted by the main opposition party leader Moon Jae-in’s earlier remarks criticizing the ruling party’s capability at managing the nation’s security.

The New Politics Alliance for Democracy chairman, a former sergeant in the Army’s Special Warfare Command, instigated the fight on Sunday when he accused the governing Saenuri Party of inflating its national security credentials.

“Many in the Saenuri Party have never served,” Moon had said. “But Saenuri officials always appear to be trying to frame the NPAD as a pro-North Korea party, and talk as if they are defense experts.”

The Saenuri Party accused Moon of spreading false facts. They rebuked that only 22 of the party’s 137 lawmakers had been exempted from service while 29 of the NPAD’s 105 male legislators had never served.

The party’s spokesperson Rep. Kwon Eun-hee prepared commentary accusing Moon of defaming President Park Geun-hye, who was reportedly not among Moon’s targets of criticism, only to rescind it later and apologize to the rival party leader.

Observers said the latest tit-for-tat reflects the overheating competition ahead of the April 29 by-elections. Four constituencies will pick new representatives to the National Assembly.

“But I don’t think it’s childish to be having this debate,” Yoon Pyung-joong, professor at Hanshin University, said.

“I think it’s good for the public that both parties expose each other’s military records. Both parties know it’s embarrassing to have that many lawmakers who were exempt from military service, often for unclear reasons,” he said.

Military service is one of the touchiest subjects in South Korea, which is still technically at war. The country obligates all physically and mentally fit men to join the armed forces for close to two years.

Both parties have worked to strengthen their image as a party that prioritizes national security. The Saenuri Party hopes to consolidate its traditional conservative voter base, while the NPAD seeks to rid its pro-North Korea image.

Observers called the latest partisan fighting an unproductive one that would have minimal to no influence on the upcoming election.

“The debate (over military service) might allow parties to consolidate their traditional support bases, but generally, I don’t think the wrangling is going to meaningfully affect the elections,” said Yang Seung-ham, professor of politics at Yonsei University in Seoul.

On Sunday, Moon had added that the 2010 sinking of the Navy’s Cheonan by a North Korean submarine had occurred under the watch of leaders with no military experience.

Key members of President Lee Myung-bak’s Cabinet at the time include National Intelligence Service chief Won Sei-hoon, Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik and Cheong Wa Dae Chief of Staff Chung Chung-kil. The four never served.

By Jeong Hunny (hj257@heraldcorp.com)