2 Bigwigs Bid for GNP Leadership Race
By Kim Sue-young
Staff Reporter
Two veteran politicians Sunday declared their bid for the leadership race of the governing Grand National Party (GNP) slated for July 3.
Six-term lawmaker Chung Mong-joon, a member of the party's decision-making Supreme Council, vowed to establish communication channels between the party and the government, if elected.
Former National Assembly Speaker Park Hee-tae launched his bid the same day, promising to achieve unity of the party and the nation.
Incumbent Chairman Kang Jae-sup, whose term expires early next month, is not seeking reelection.
Chung, a son of late Chung Ju-yung, founder of the Hyundai Group, stressed the importance of mutual communication.
``It is needed for the ruling party to communicate with the government but, at the same time, we should be devoted to our job of check and balance,'' he told reporters. ``I, if elected, will open communication channels through which the Supreme Council members and Cabinet ministers can talk candidly.''
Saying that he found a lack of communication between the government and the party, and even among GNP lawmakers, he promised to create a climate of open discussion.
Chung expressed objections to regionalism and factional politics.
``Now is the time for politics here to leap to a higher level. Citizens long for new opposition parties, a new parliament and new politics,'' said Chung known as a confidant to President Lee Myung-bak.
Opposition parties should not be considered ``enemies to the ruling camp any more," he added.
Park, considered having close ties with Rep. Lee Sang-deuk, elder brother of President Lee, stressed ``unity'' as well.
``The most urgent mission for the GNP is resolving conflicts. I would like to create a melting pot to dissolve all factional feuds,'' he told a press conference.
He said he, if elected, will do his utmost to help the government reinvigorate the economy which the people most desire.
According to a survey conducted by a Seoul-based polling agency RealMeter last week, Chung led the race with 26.8 percent of support. Park had 18.3 percent.
With less than two weeks to go before the leadership race, a total of eight contestants are vying for selection.
Yet, analysts said they will likely forge an alliance as some candidates hinted.
A two-term lawmaker Chin Young said he left open the possibility of seeking a joint candidacy with three-term legislator Huh Tae-yeol close to former GNP Chairwoman Park Geun-hye.
The party will hold a national convention to pick the new chairman and members of the Supreme Council based on votes from party delegates (70 percent) and from ordinary citizens who have no GNP membership (30 percent).