By Jun Ji-hye
Members of the ruling Saenury Party are in conflict over whether President Park Geun-hye is supporting certain candidates in the June 4 local elections.
The conflict surfaced Wednesday with ruling party hopefuls for the candidacy in the Seoul mayoral race engaged in psychological warfare.
Rep. Chung Moon-joon did not attend a meeting of senior party members in what was seen as a protest against rumors that Cheong Wa Dae was supporting former Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik.
The controversy first arose the previous day when Kim said during a radio interview: "I consulted with presidential chief of staff Kim Ki-choon about various matters before announcing my bid."
Seven-term lawmaker Chung's aides said that this indicated that Kim himself acknowledged that the presidential office intervened in his candidacy.
Members of Saenuri's Seoul branches were also allegedly quarrelling over "Park's intention" during a dinner meeting.
Even before Kim and Chung made their candidacies official, speculation abounded that followers of President Park would support the former prime minister in accordance with Park's wishes, while others, including supporters of her predecessor Lee Myung-bak, are behind Chung.
Chung was not the only one who was absent from the meeting. Five-term lawmaker Lee Jae-oh, one of closest aides of former President Lee, who is helping Chung's campaign, also did not participate.
"Chung was absent due to his personal schedule," said an aide.
But observers pointed out that the lawmaker is rarely absent from the meeting held once a week, saying his absence could be interpreted as a protest against Park and the governing party's leadership.
With the controversy growing surrounding him, Kim, who also served as head of the Board of Audit and Inspection, hastily arranged a luncheon meeting with reporters to explain the rumors.
"They are just groundless," said Kim. "My camp will not respond to such a wasteful controversy surrounding President Park's intentions."
He also expressed concern, saying continuing factional disputes within the governing camp could disappoint the public.
With regard to his relationship with the presidential chief of staff, Kim said: "I have respect for him and he also respects me as we both worked in the legal circle for a long time."
He stressed that he is interacting with Kim Ki-choon, but it is just social, and not for the election.
The Saenuri Party will pick its final candidate for Seoul mayor on April 30 through a primary. Along with Chung and Kim, Supreme Council member Lee Hye-hoon is running to win the ticket.
The winner will confront incumbent Mayor Park Won-soon.
Members of the ruling Saenury Party are in conflict over whether President Park Geun-hye is supporting certain candidates in the June 4 local elections.
The conflict surfaced Wednesday with ruling party hopefuls for the candidacy in the Seoul mayoral race engaged in psychological warfare.
Rep. Chung Moon-joon did not attend a meeting of senior party members in what was seen as a protest against rumors that Cheong Wa Dae was supporting former Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik.
The controversy first arose the previous day when Kim said during a radio interview: "I consulted with presidential chief of staff Kim Ki-choon about various matters before announcing my bid."
Seven-term lawmaker Chung's aides said that this indicated that Kim himself acknowledged that the presidential office intervened in his candidacy.
Members of Saenuri's Seoul branches were also allegedly quarrelling over "Park's intention" during a dinner meeting.
Even before Kim and Chung made their candidacies official, speculation abounded that followers of President Park would support the former prime minister in accordance with Park's wishes, while others, including supporters of her predecessor Lee Myung-bak, are behind Chung.
Chung was not the only one who was absent from the meeting. Five-term lawmaker Lee Jae-oh, one of closest aides of former President Lee, who is helping Chung's campaign, also did not participate.
"Chung was absent due to his personal schedule," said an aide.
But observers pointed out that the lawmaker is rarely absent from the meeting held once a week, saying his absence could be interpreted as a protest against Park and the governing party's leadership.
With the controversy growing surrounding him, Kim, who also served as head of the Board of Audit and Inspection, hastily arranged a luncheon meeting with reporters to explain the rumors.
"They are just groundless," said Kim. "My camp will not respond to such a wasteful controversy surrounding President Park's intentions."
He also expressed concern, saying continuing factional disputes within the governing camp could disappoint the public.
With regard to his relationship with the presidential chief of staff, Kim said: "I have respect for him and he also respects me as we both worked in the legal circle for a long time."
He stressed that he is interacting with Kim Ki-choon, but it is just social, and not for the election.
The Saenuri Party will pick its final candidate for Seoul mayor on April 30 through a primary. Along with Chung and Kim, Supreme Council member Lee Hye-hoon is running to win the ticket.
The winner will confront incumbent Mayor Park Won-soon.
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