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| The main opposition Liberty Korea Party interim leader Kim Byong-joon, center, speaks during a party meeting at the National Assembly, Wednesday. / Yonhap |
By Park Ji-won
The main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) officially began its emergency reform committee headed by a former liberal politician with a visit to the National Cemetery to pay tribute to the South Korean war dead.
The committee's interim leader Kim Byong-joon and other members visited the graves of former Presidents such as Rhee Syng-man, Park Chung-hee, Kim Young-sam and Kim Dae-jung for the first time as a group after the large defeat in the June local elections. Politicians usually visit the National Cemetery to show their loyalty to the nation.
Signing a visitor's book before leaving the site, Kim wrote "the country where everyone lives well together," signaling that the party will focus on economic policies.
At the first meeting of the committee, Kim said "The new leadership is in a position to work hard and overcome difficulties. Right now the party is in trouble over various issues."
He added that "I will do my best to work with the members together"
After the meeting, LKP spokeswoman Bae Hyun-jin told reporters the party will come up with practical ideas by listening to opinions from various people to set the direction for the troubled party.
Related to this, the party will announce plans about forming smaller committees as early as next week after having a series of discussions. They will come up with ideas to be applied to the party rules, Bae added.
With the slogan "responsibility and innovation," the spokeswoman said "we are listening to criticism that our party has been off track in politics, which is supposed to improve people's lives."
On Tuesday, the party leader formed the party leadership with nine members which was passed at the party's general meeting later on. It consists of five outsiders including Kim who had served as one of the key aids for the late President Roh Moo-hyun's administration. The LKP's floor leader Kim Sung-tae is also included as a member of the body.
The emergency body plans to hold a regular meeting on every Monday and Thursday morning.
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