By Kang Seung-woo
President Park Geun-hye could again become the "Queen of Elections," as she called for people to be mindful of the "uncooperative" opposition party at next year's general election.
Political analysts say her move is aimed at helping the ruling Saenuri Party win in the April 13 election and tighten her grip on the party.
Park earned the nickname while serving as party chairwoman between 2004 and 2006, during which she led the Grand National Party, the Saenuri Party's predecessor, to several electoral victories. One of her achievements was helping the party sweep all 40 parliamentary seats in the by-elections.
In Cabinet meetings on Nov. 10 and 24 and Tuesday, Park repeatedly attacked the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD) for its "lack of cooperation" in the government's key goal of reforming the labor sector.
On Tuesday, the president said the opposition will face the public's disappointment and anger at the election by failing to pass the bills. Last month, she said the negligence of the National Assembly, in particular the opposition, is an act of hypocrisy by the party and a challenge to the people. In an apparent appeal before next year's parliamentary election, she asked people to vote for candidates with integrity to make sure the parliament can work for the people's benefit.
"People will never tolerate it if a set of bills meant to improve their lives is automatically scrapped," Park said on Nov. 10.
It is seen as rare for a head of state to denounce the opposition party during a Cabinet meeting before the general election.
Bae Jong-chan, the chief director at political pollster, Research and Research, said next year's general election are significant for the president, who will enter her fourth year in office in February.
"A new parliament from the election will evaluate the second half of the Park administration's term, so she needs more lawmakers from the ruling party in that parliament," Bae said.
"In addition, the results of the general election can also be a yardstick for Park's evaluation."
He also said her remarks are aimed at weakening the NPAD's calls on the public to judge the government in advance.
Analysts also said that should Park have a bigger say in the nomination process, those within the party who are loyal to her are expected to be picked, which, in turn, will help strengthen her control of the party.
"History shows that previous presidents lost their presence near the end of their terms, but Park seems to be trying to strengthen her control on the party down to the wire in order to save herself from becoming a weak lame duck," said Yoon Hee-woong, a senior researcher at Opinion Live.
But Chung Goon-gi, a professor at Hongik University, said Park's remarks at the Cabinet meetings were inappropriate, undermining the separation of powers.
"Despite the separation of powers, Park, the head of the administrative body, acts as if the lawmaking body is a subordinate body to her," he said.
In response to Park's remarks, the opposition accused her of indulging in the coming election instead of tackling state affairs.
"At every opportunity, President Park talks about the election," said NPAD floor leader Lee Jong-kul. "I am worried that the election issue is becoming her primary objective."
President Park Geun-hye could again become the "Queen of Elections," as she called for people to be mindful of the "uncooperative" opposition party at next year's general election.
Political analysts say her move is aimed at helping the ruling Saenuri Party win in the April 13 election and tighten her grip on the party.
Park earned the nickname while serving as party chairwoman between 2004 and 2006, during which she led the Grand National Party, the Saenuri Party's predecessor, to several electoral victories. One of her achievements was helping the party sweep all 40 parliamentary seats in the by-elections.
In Cabinet meetings on Nov. 10 and 24 and Tuesday, Park repeatedly attacked the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD) for its "lack of cooperation" in the government's key goal of reforming the labor sector.
On Tuesday, the president said the opposition will face the public's disappointment and anger at the election by failing to pass the bills. Last month, she said the negligence of the National Assembly, in particular the opposition, is an act of hypocrisy by the party and a challenge to the people. In an apparent appeal before next year's parliamentary election, she asked people to vote for candidates with integrity to make sure the parliament can work for the people's benefit.
"People will never tolerate it if a set of bills meant to improve their lives is automatically scrapped," Park said on Nov. 10.
It is seen as rare for a head of state to denounce the opposition party during a Cabinet meeting before the general election.
Bae Jong-chan, the chief director at political pollster, Research and Research, said next year's general election are significant for the president, who will enter her fourth year in office in February.
"A new parliament from the election will evaluate the second half of the Park administration's term, so she needs more lawmakers from the ruling party in that parliament," Bae said.
"In addition, the results of the general election can also be a yardstick for Park's evaluation."
He also said her remarks are aimed at weakening the NPAD's calls on the public to judge the government in advance.
Analysts also said that should Park have a bigger say in the nomination process, those within the party who are loyal to her are expected to be picked, which, in turn, will help strengthen her control of the party.
"History shows that previous presidents lost their presence near the end of their terms, but Park seems to be trying to strengthen her control on the party down to the wire in order to save herself from becoming a weak lame duck," said Yoon Hee-woong, a senior researcher at Opinion Live.
But Chung Goon-gi, a professor at Hongik University, said Park's remarks at the Cabinet meetings were inappropriate, undermining the separation of powers.
"Despite the separation of powers, Park, the head of the administrative body, acts as if the lawmaking body is a subordinate body to her," he said.
In response to Park's remarks, the opposition accused her of indulging in the coming election instead of tackling state affairs.
"At every opportunity, President Park talks about the election," said NPAD floor leader Lee Jong-kul. "I am worried that the election issue is becoming her primary objective."
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