By Kang Hyun-kyung
Staff Reporter
Governing Grand National Party (GNP) Chairman Kang Jae-sup, Monday, called for holding a national convention at an early date to elect new party leaders.
He proposed that the national convention be held in June to help the party have a fresh start following a possible Cabinet reshuffle.
Delegates are scheduled to select the party's new chairman and members of the decision-making Supreme Council on July 3.
Rep. Kim Chung-kwon said hopefuls running for the chairmanship should first approve the proposal to hold an early convention, and then Supreme Council members should review it.
To date, no candidates made their bid for the party leadership but Rep. Chung Mong-joon hinted that he would run for the election to select the chairman.
Kang said the competition could take place in mid-June if the party streamlines the unnecessary procedures needed to select the new leadership.
Kang's suggestion was made when all senior presidential secretaries tendered their resignations last Friday over the public outrage triggered by the U.S. beef import deal and a Cabinet reshuffle is expected to come in this week.
Kang said, ``the governing party needs to work closely together with the presidential office as well as the government in policy-making,'' to help President Lee Myung-bak manage the economy effectively, after the reshuffle in the government and Cheong Wa Dae is done.
Kang had asked the President to overhaul Cabinet ministers a few weeks ago when he sat down with Lee in a one-on-one meeting in the presidential office.
The meeting was set to help the President who was struggling to deal with the rising protests against his team's decision to resume the import of American beef. Kang made several suggestions including Cabinet reshuffle to the President.
``All senior presidential aides tendered their resignations after the meeting and Cabinet members are expected to resign soon,'' said Kang. ``The ruling party needs to side the President with a new leader.''
GNP floor leader Hong Joon-pyo said Lee needs to fill the posts of his secretaries and Cabinet members with those having specialties in the corresponding areas, avoiding cronyism.
Hong said the Lee administration would transform into a responsive government if the replacement of secretaries and Cabinet members is completed.