I am an editorial writer at The Korea Times, focusing on foreign policy, North Korea and domestic politics. My key areas of interest include North Korea, foreign interference in elections, election integrity, cyberattacks and human rights. Prior to joining the Editorial Board, I served as both Politics Desk editor and Culture Desk editor. During my career, I have reported on the Presidential Office under the Lee Myung-bak administration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Assembly.
Ruling party in deep turmoil
3 senior members resign but chairman Hong refuses to quit
By Kang Hyun-kyung
The ruling Grand National Party (GNP) Chairman Hong Joon-pyo said Wednesday he was willing to resign from his position to take responsibility for the party’s defeat in the Seoul mayoral election and the National Election Committee (NEC) hacking sandal.
“I am ready to quit the post, if that is what party members want,” he said during a meeting with GNP members. To that end, he cited the need for a confidence vote from the 169 party lawmakers.
Hong also said he would embark on efforts toward “re-creation” of the governing party at least two months ahead of the April parliamentary elections.
It remains to be seen whether his remarks will ease the discontent of some ruling party lawmakers demanding a total revamping of the party, including Hong’s resignation.
Elaborating on his idea about re-creating the conservative GNP, Hong suggested the 1996 reform, which was conducted in February by the then ruling party two months before the parliamentary elections, as a possible model.
“Then the ruling Democratic Justice Party overhauled its system, including changing its name into the New Korea Party, and that was just two months before the April elections,” he stressed.
Hong unveiled the plan as several lawmakers called for innovation.
The chairman criticized Reps. Yoo Seung-min, Nam Kyung-pil and Won Hee-ryong who resigned from their posts on the party’s decision-making Supreme Council.
During a news conference, Rep. Yoo announced his resignation and expressed regret about his inability to save the party, which he said has suffered a decisive blow from the NEC hacking scandal.
Yoo and his fellow supreme council members urged the GNP to take measures to revamp the party.
Nam urged all the leadership to step down en mass to take responsibility for the turmoil.
Discontent is simmering inside the GNP, deepening a rift between those who call for change and Chairman Hong.
Some lawmakers echoed the call by the three Supreme Council members.
In an interview, Rep. Ahn Young-hwan said the ruling party needs massive innovation ahead of the National Assembly elections.
“The GNP is viewed as an old, outdated party advocating the best interests of the privileged class. To improve its image, it needs a fundamental change,” he said.
Some analysts speculate that former GNP Chairwoman Rep. Park Geun-hye may be called upon to lead the faltering party. Park is regarded as the most suitable candidate who can appeal to the hearts and minds of the public, they said.
Polls show that Park is the most popular presidential bidder in the ruling camp.