GNP convention to open in June or July

By Kim Ji-soo

Taking its election defeat seriously, the ruling Grand National Party decided Friday it will hold a party convention in June or July, to pick new leaders.

The convention will come one year earlier than planned. The GNP managed to obtain only one of the three lawmaker slots in the April 27 by-elections, with Kim Tae-ho winning in the Gimhae B district.

The party will hold an emergency meeting to include selecting a successor to floor leader Kim Moo-sung on May 6.

A closed-door meeting held Thursday reportedly saw ruling lawmakers demanding a party overhaul. The leadership has offered its resignation, and the party will form an emergency panel to pick a new lineup.

And as the party searches for new leadership, various options including from the Young Turks are being tossed around. Young GNP Turks include such figures as Kim Tae-ho, 48, and Rep. Na Kyung-won, a former party Supreme Council member.

Yet there are growing calls to bring back Rep. Park Geun-hye, former party chairwoman and a strong presidential bidder, as a heavyweight to woo voters ahead of next year’s general and presidential elections. Park is currently visiting three European countries as a special presidential envoy.

Speaking in a radio program Friday Rep. An Kyung-ryul, a possible candidate for floor leader, called for a bigger role for Park. She has not assumed any official party posts since 2008 after losing to President Lee Myung-bak in the 2007 party primaries for the presidential candidacy. Ever since then she has maintained a relative distance from the President despite the cloak of a unified ruling party.

Political analysts have commented that some 60 GNP lawmakers affiliated with Rep. Park Geun-hye are likely to have a greater say in determining the party’s future leadership. Underneath its conservative wrapping the ruling party comprises of lawmakers more affiliated with President Lee Myung-bak, those close to Park and those in the neutral zone. Within the pro-Lee camp, those close to the President’s older brother, Rep. Lee Sang-deuk are reportedly calling for a bigger role for Park.

Along with a party overhaul, President Lee Myung-bak is expected reshuffle his Cabinet as well as his presidential secretariat sometime next week. Presidential chief of staff, Yim Tae-hee recommended a new lineup of presidential secretaries, including his own replacement.