By Jun Ji-hye
President Park Geun-hye is resorting to political cronyism, utilizing a small network of trusted advisors.
It is widely known that the President relies heavily on a "seven person committee" that provides her with private counsel.
Now Park is running the risk of tainting her image by taking Suh Chung-won back into her inner circle of confidants. Suh has been nominated to be the ruling Saenuri Party candidate in a by-election to be held on Oct. 30.
The 70-year-old former chairman of the Grand National Party, now the Saenuri Party, led a pro-Park Geun-hye Alliance in 2008. He played a key role in obtaining illegal funds from conglomerates to finance a campaign for the 2002 presidential election.
His nomination comes after reports that he was Park's preference.
He will contest a seat in Hwaseong-A district in Gyeonggi Province. His nearest competitor for the nomination was Kim Sung-hei, a former Saenuri Party lawmaker.
Sun's comeback followed a bitter dispute between party Chairman Hwang Woo-yea and floor leader Choi Kyung-hwan.
Suh is among a number of old hands who have recently come to Park's aid.
In August, the president named Kim Ki-choon, 73, a previous member of her private counsel team, presidential chief of staff.
The main opposition Democratic Party (DP) accused Kim of being a master of political intrigue, citing a political scandal in 1992 in which as justice minister he conspired with leaders in Busan to swing votes to then conservative presidential candidate, Kim Young-sam.
"Chief of staff Kim brings a sense of stability to Cheong Wa Dae," a source said without commenting on the negative impact on Park's image.
Hong Sa-duk, a former six-term lawmaker and close aide to Park, has also just made a comeback after being appointed to lead the Korean Council for Reconciliation and Cooperation, a body set up to promote national understanding and consensus with a view to achieving unification.
Hong was convicted for having accepted illegal political funds from a businessman ahead of the 2012 presidential election.
"Park tends to like those who respect her thoughts and words, and can handle matters by themselves based on their understanding of her intentions," said Lee Cheol-hee, director of the Dumun Political Strategy Institute. "She also tends to like veteran political figures because she feels comfortable with them."
Choi Chang-ryul, a professor at Yong In University, echoed this. "President Park wants to work with aides who can read her mind."
Rep. Min Byung-doo of the DP said that such a style of making appointments can weaken communication with the opposition and the public.
"The recent selections show Park's intention to get her own way in managing state affairs," he said.
Experts said the likelihood is that, despite a growing number of complaints, she will continue to appoint her closest confidants as political assets for the time being, even though Park recently experienced a "rebellion" from Chin Young, former health and welfare minister.
Chin, was considered a key aide, but quit over differences on pension reform.
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| Suh Chung-won |
It is widely known that the President relies heavily on a "seven person committee" that provides her with private counsel.
Now Park is running the risk of tainting her image by taking Suh Chung-won back into her inner circle of confidants. Suh has been nominated to be the ruling Saenuri Party candidate in a by-election to be held on Oct. 30.
The 70-year-old former chairman of the Grand National Party, now the Saenuri Party, led a pro-Park Geun-hye Alliance in 2008. He played a key role in obtaining illegal funds from conglomerates to finance a campaign for the 2002 presidential election.
His nomination comes after reports that he was Park's preference.
He will contest a seat in Hwaseong-A district in Gyeonggi Province. His nearest competitor for the nomination was Kim Sung-hei, a former Saenuri Party lawmaker.
Sun's comeback followed a bitter dispute between party Chairman Hwang Woo-yea and floor leader Choi Kyung-hwan.
Suh is among a number of old hands who have recently come to Park's aid.
In August, the president named Kim Ki-choon, 73, a previous member of her private counsel team, presidential chief of staff.
The main opposition Democratic Party (DP) accused Kim of being a master of political intrigue, citing a political scandal in 1992 in which as justice minister he conspired with leaders in Busan to swing votes to then conservative presidential candidate, Kim Young-sam.
"Chief of staff Kim brings a sense of stability to Cheong Wa Dae," a source said without commenting on the negative impact on Park's image.
Hong Sa-duk, a former six-term lawmaker and close aide to Park, has also just made a comeback after being appointed to lead the Korean Council for Reconciliation and Cooperation, a body set up to promote national understanding and consensus with a view to achieving unification.
Hong was convicted for having accepted illegal political funds from a businessman ahead of the 2012 presidential election.
"Park tends to like those who respect her thoughts and words, and can handle matters by themselves based on their understanding of her intentions," said Lee Cheol-hee, director of the Dumun Political Strategy Institute. "She also tends to like veteran political figures because she feels comfortable with them."
Choi Chang-ryul, a professor at Yong In University, echoed this. "President Park wants to work with aides who can read her mind."
Rep. Min Byung-doo of the DP said that such a style of making appointments can weaken communication with the opposition and the public.
"The recent selections show Park's intention to get her own way in managing state affairs," he said.
Experts said the likelihood is that, despite a growing number of complaints, she will continue to appoint her closest confidants as political assets for the time being, even though Park recently experienced a "rebellion" from Chin Young, former health and welfare minister.
Chin, was considered a key aide, but quit over differences on pension reform.
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