Democratic United Party presidential candidate Moon Jae-in’s campaign aides with ties to former President Roh Moo-hyun relinquished their roles in the campaign on Sunday in a move to put an end to criticism that pro-Roh individuals are dominating the party and the campaign.

The large presence of pro-Roh individuals in Moon’s camp and the party has been a subject of contention within the party, and has led to a number of senior members leaving the progressive party.

Sunday’s development was led by former presidential public relations secretary Yang Jung-chul, and former senior presidential civil affairs secretaries Rep. Jeon Hae-cheol and Lee Ho-chul.

Yang had been serving within Moon’s campaign secretariat, while Jeon headed the planning division. Lee did not hold an official post within the camp, but has been working within the support group for Moon.

While the former presidential secretaries had initially planned to resign by themselves, six key campaign aides including Kim Yong-il and Park Nam-chun joined them in an effort to end the controversy.

“We sincerely hope that there will be no more segregation by faction or genealogy following our resignation,” the resigning officials said in a statement.

The officials also stressed the absence of factionalism in Moon’s operations saying “he is a lonely person within the political arena without his supporters.”

“In the process of discussing their resignation, the decision was made for the entire core group of aides to step down in order to accelerate harmony and unity within the party,” said Rep. Noh Young-min, the chief of Moon’s secretariat. He added that the party will search for replacements from within and outside the party.

The pro-Roh officials’ resignation coincided with the launch of the DUP presidential candidate’s campaign committee for political reform.

Sungkongheo University’s professor Jung Hae-gu will lead the 15-member committee as an administrator for the time being as the suitable chairperson has not been found, DUP officials said.

By Choi He-suk (cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)