Park’s move for own constituency stirs up GNP

By Chung Min-uck

Lawmakers of the ruling Grand National Party (GNP) showed mixed responses Wednesday to Rep. Park Geun-hye’s statement that she would run for the general elections slated for April next year in her constituency of Dalseong in Daegu.

They reacted sensitively as Park’s move will have a far-reaching impact upon the GNP’s performance in the parliamentary elections regarding her role in campaigning for other party lawmakers.

Park, a former GNP chairwoman and one of the strongest presidential candidates for next year’s election, is enjoying nationwide support.

During her visit to Daegu Stadium, she admitted that she would again run in her current electoral district.

She made the one-day visit to attend the ground-breaking ceremony for LEC-producing company SSLM’s new factory in Dalseong. In the afternoon, she dropped by Daegu Stadium where the IAAF World Championships 2011 will be held.

Rep. Chung Doo-un, a close confidant of President Lee Myung-bak, Wednesday said, “Rep. Park should have chosen not to run in the election or ask for a seat under the proportional representative system to bring changes to the party and freshen up the atmosphere.

“It is really disappointing (that she will run in the Dalseong district).”

In contrast, Rep. Yoo Seung-min, a member of the GNP’s Supreme Council and a close aide of Park’s disagreed.

“In the 2004 general election, Park, a former party chairwoman, helped the party gain 120 seats without even visiting her own district. The idea that her support (for other party members) would shrink due to her candidacy for the district is wrong,” said Yoo.

Yet, GNP lawmakers who aren’t considered in the pro-Park faction are still questioning the decision claiming that her absence would bring an adverse impact on the general election, which could hurt Park in the presidential election to be held just eight month later.

During Park’s visit to Daegu, when she was asked whether she would back other members on their election campaigns, she answered “(The party) should focus on their policies and nominations and they should be done transparently. Without this premise, how can we win the support from citizens?”

She indicated her dissatisfaction with the current leadership of Rep. Hong Joon-pyo.

Last week, Hong appointed Rep. Kim Jeong-kweon as secretary general, a position in charge of the party’s nomination of candidates in elections, despite a backlash from both the pro-President and pro-Park groups.