The governing Saenuri Party has elected Chung Jin-suk, a newspaper journalist-turned-politician, as its new floor leader. Chung, who became a four-term lawmaker with his election in the April 13 parliamentary polls, easily beat two competitors. His running mate, Rep. Kim Gwang-lim, was elected as the party's chief policymaker.
Chung is known to be a neutral figure not affiliated with any faction. He is also alleged to be good at communicating even with opposition politicians.
After being elected, Chung vowed to seek cooperative politics by consulting with the presidential office and making compromises with the opposition parties. He is tasked with rebuilding the Saenuri Party, suffering from its humiliating election defeat.
But that job is easier said than done, considering that his party will have been relegated to the second-largest party, let alone losing its majority status. He must spearhead tough floor negotiations in a totally different political landscape ― a three-party system in which the minor opposition People's Party has a casting vote.
It will never be easy to secure cooperation from the two opposition parties under the three-party system. This requires the floor leader to do his utmost to make the upcoming legislature more productive.
His most immediate task might be to fix his party by resolving factional feuds between those loyal to President Park Geun-hye and non-Park politicians. Chung vowed to root out factionalism, saying, "We must go through a difficult journey together."
But circumstances do not seem easy. Pro-Park lawmakers have remained mute in the face of harsh criticism for having been the main culprits behind the party's crushing defeat, although they emerged as the party's largest faction in this last election.
But the pro-Park group may make its move, depending on changing circumstances. This will revive the specter of factional strife, which will deprive the embattled party of chances to reform itself.
It's also important for the governing party to establish a more "horizontal relationship" with President Park and Cheong Wa Dae. In retrospect, much of the messy state affairs during the incumbent administration have been caused by the ruling party's blind submission to the presidential office, and the new floor leader must normalize this abnormal structure.
At a time when fear is mounting about economic woes and security risks, one cannot overestimate the role of the governing party's floor leader. The concerns of the people are all the greater, especially given the looming three-party system. Chung should cooperate with his counterparts from the opposition to make the National Assembly truly serve the people.
Chung is known to be a neutral figure not affiliated with any faction. He is also alleged to be good at communicating even with opposition politicians.
After being elected, Chung vowed to seek cooperative politics by consulting with the presidential office and making compromises with the opposition parties. He is tasked with rebuilding the Saenuri Party, suffering from its humiliating election defeat.
But that job is easier said than done, considering that his party will have been relegated to the second-largest party, let alone losing its majority status. He must spearhead tough floor negotiations in a totally different political landscape ― a three-party system in which the minor opposition People's Party has a casting vote.
It will never be easy to secure cooperation from the two opposition parties under the three-party system. This requires the floor leader to do his utmost to make the upcoming legislature more productive.
His most immediate task might be to fix his party by resolving factional feuds between those loyal to President Park Geun-hye and non-Park politicians. Chung vowed to root out factionalism, saying, "We must go through a difficult journey together."
But circumstances do not seem easy. Pro-Park lawmakers have remained mute in the face of harsh criticism for having been the main culprits behind the party's crushing defeat, although they emerged as the party's largest faction in this last election.
But the pro-Park group may make its move, depending on changing circumstances. This will revive the specter of factional strife, which will deprive the embattled party of chances to reform itself.
It's also important for the governing party to establish a more "horizontal relationship" with President Park and Cheong Wa Dae. In retrospect, much of the messy state affairs during the incumbent administration have been caused by the ruling party's blind submission to the presidential office, and the new floor leader must normalize this abnormal structure.
At a time when fear is mounting about economic woes and security risks, one cannot overestimate the role of the governing party's floor leader. The concerns of the people are all the greater, especially given the looming three-party system. Chung should cooperate with his counterparts from the opposition to make the National Assembly truly serve the people.
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