Park to hold talks with senior journalists Tuesday

By Kim Hyo-jin

President Park Geun-hye is scheduled to hold a meeting with the managing editors of major news media outlets, Tuesday, in an effort to reach out to the public, according to presidential officials, Sunday.

It will be the first time in approximately three years since she last made last contact with the nation’s opinion leaders in July, 2013.

The rare move is seen as an attempt to gain momentum after the ruling Saenuri Party’s stinging defeat in the April 13 general election.

The ruling party failed to hold its previous parliamentary majority of 157 seats and was relegated to becoming the second-largest party with 122 seats after the main opposition Minjoo Party of Korea (MPK) with 123 seats.

Park’s failure to communicate with the public and her high-handed manner when conducting state affairs with the Assembly are said to be among causes of the humiliating setback.

The scheduled meeting is interpreted as part of her efforts to turn the tables.

Pundits regard public support as critical for her to push ahead with her reform agendas in the labor and business sectors for the remainder of her 20-month term, especially when a period as a lame duck president is fast-approaching after the election defeat.

Park is expected to stress her priorities on economic policies, reiterating her unwavering will to reform the social structure to the participants, according to presidential officials.

“The public made a judgment on Park’s poor governance which was characterized by a lack of communication in the election,” said Hwang Tae-soon, a senior analyst at Wisdom Center. “Reaction should follow; otherwise, the administration is doomed to suffer a severe lame duck term.”

Park was earlier criticized for falling short of making an apology to the public after the ruling party’s crushing defeat in the election.

Park instead said “I will humbly accept public opinion and closely work with the upcoming 20th Assembly.”