By Chung Min-uck
The election for the new leadership of the ruling Grand National Party (GNP) came as a surprise with pro-Park Geun-hye lawmaker Yoo Seung-min coming in second.
In contrast, Rep. Won Hee-ryong a supporter of President Lee Myung-bak was barely selected as a member of the decision-making Supreme Council, finishing fourth in the leadership contest although he had been regarded as one of the strongest contenders.
Rep. Yoo has been leading a relatively quiet political life since Park’s 2007 defeat in the GNP’s presidential primary.
But insiders say that the good result Yoo recorded in yesterday’s leadership election would enable him to emerge as a leading figure in the ruling party as a close confidant to Park, the strongest candidate for next year’s presidential election.
However, Yoo, a second-term lawmaker, also has many obstacles ahead of him.
First of all, he needs to play the role of a bridge between the pro-Park and pro-Lee factions.
“I wish Rep. Hong Joon-pyo’s agenda of true conservatism and my brave reformation can both lead to winning back the people’s hearts,” said Yoo in a speech right after he was elected a Supreme Council member.
At the same time, Yoo also needs to defend Park against the criticism that she will receive until the presidential election scheduled for December 2012.
His concept of brave reform which he emphasized during the convention is also drawing attention, since it is anticipated to put a brake on indiscreet leftist promises such as free elementary school meals, and drawing back the tax reduction for big conglomerates recently made public by GNP lawmakers.
Overall, Yoo’s rise will positively affect Park’s preparation for the presidency while the unfavorable election result of the pro-president side’s sole representative, Won Hee-ryong, could further jeopardize President Lee’s remaining term in Cheong Wa Dae.