By Kang Hyun-kyung
Staff Reporter
Park Hee-tae, chairman of the governing Grand National Party (GNP), labeled temporary workers' job cuts after implementation of the two-year employment ceiling went into effect Wednesday ``Choo Mi-ae-driven unemployment.''
A mild-tempered politician, Park marked his one year in office Thursday, with unusually strong accusations against Rep. Choo of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP), who chairs the National Assembly Environment and Labor Committee.
GNP lawmakers demanded Choo convene a committee meeting to debate the job security bill aimed at delaying the implementation of the current rule for three years.
But the chairwoman ignored their call, reiterating she would do so only after labor unions agree on the measure.
At a meeting with GNP post holders, Park, 72, accused her of sabotaging her role and duties as chairwoman who is required to convene meetings when asked to do so.
``We will continue to demonstrate necessary action to show that our patience has run out,'' warned Park.
The veteran politician, a close friend of President Lee Myung-bak's brother Rep. Lee Sang-deuk, called for unity and harmony after being elected party chairman last July.
His friendship with President Lee's brother dealt a blow to his career last year. He was eliminated in the selection of candidates to run in the National Assembly elections on the GNP ticket, which was reportedly dominated by junior hardliners.
He allowed followers of former GNP Chairwoman Park Geun-hye outside the GNP, who were also victims in the selection of candidates, to rejoin the party. The number of GNP seats in the 299-member legislature increased to 170 from 153 after he became GNP leader.
Over the past year, Park had faced tough leadership tests on several occasions. The first challenge came in May after his party was crushed in the April 29 by-elections, where the GNP failed to secure a single seat in the polls to pick five lawmakers.
The miserable result led junior hardliners who were discontent with Park's leadership to call for his resignation to take responsibility in the middle of his leadership. His tenure ends in July next year.
They called for the convening of a national convention to pick a new chairman and Supreme Council members.
Cheong Wa Dae, however, didn't endorse the reformers' plan and instead backed the current leadership.
The call for a revamp of the party lost momentum temporarily after collective sadness over the death of former President Roh Moo-hyun on May 23 swept the nation.
The Roh effect challenged Park's leadership as well because the popularity of the GNP quickly plummeted while the DP's soared.
However, the public's preference of liberals over conservatives was short-lived, and the GNP's support again overtook that of the DP in latest polls.
Park is reportedly considering running in the by-elections in October on the party's ticket in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province. If he wins, he may run in the election to select the National Assembly speaker next year as he has expressed his interest in the job several times before.