By Na Jeong-ju
Staff reporter
President Lee Myung-bak is expected to meet with former ruling Grand National Party (GNP) Chairwoman Rep. Park Geun-hye late this month to discuss solutions to challenging political issues, presidential aides said Sunday.
Ahn Sang-soo, who was elected last week as the new GNP chairman in the party’s national convention, said Lee and Park expressed their intention to meet each other at separate meetings with him.
“I will arrange their meeting soon in an effort to seek unity of the governing camp,” Ahn told reporters Saturday. “The gathering may take place around the July 28 by-elections.”
He said both Lee and Park showed positive reactions to the proposal.
Regarding growing calls for Park to assume the post of the prime minister to assist the President, she made it clear that she wouldn’t do so, according to Ahn.
GNP lawmakers have called for dialogue between Lee and Park to unify the ruling camp as it has been reeling from scandals following an unexpected defeat in the June 2 local elections.
They are arguably the two most influential camp leaders, but have been at odds with each other.
The latest example of the deep-rooted split was that some 50 lawmakers affiliated with Park joined forces with opposition parties to vote down the government-proposed bills on Sejong City last month.
“The meeting between Lee and Park, if realized, will provide a crucial opportunity for the governing camp to resolve the rift between rival factions,” an aide to President Lee said.
Top discussion topics will include the envisioned shakeup of the Cabinet, the upcoming by-elections and ways to activate policy coordination between the party and Cheong Wa Dae, the aide said, asking not to be named.
As Lee enters the second half of his single five-year term, the government is seeking to create fresh momentum for ongoing state projects, while preventing him from becoming an early lame duck at the same time.
The governing camp is seeking a turnaround at the by-elections in which eight National Assembly seats are up for grabs.
On July 7, Lee reorganized the presidential secretariat in hopes of regaining public confidence in the governing camp. Since then, he has replaced some of his senior secretaries.
Lee’s aides said the Cabinet reshuffle may take place just before the by-elections. Prime Minister Chung Un-chan reportedly tendered his resignation last month.