GNP in rift over reshuffle of key party posts

By Kang Hyun-kyung

The ruling Grand National Party (GNP) leader’s appointment of his aide to a key post Tuesday has drawn fierce backlash from opponents, causing a rift inside the largest party over the reshuffle.

At the GNP’s Supreme Council meeting, Chairman Hong Joon-pyo unveiled the lineup of 23 party posts, including the appointment of second-term lawmaker Kim Jeong-kweon as secretary general.

Over the past few days, there has been tension between Hong and other senior lawmakers over the reshuffle as he tried to place his confidant in the important position.

The secretary general will be responsible for the selection of candidates on the GNP ticket to run in the National Assembly elections next April.

The list prepared by Hong was approved with the participation of five Supreme Council members, including Reps. Na Kyung-won and Lee Joo-young, at the meeting.

The five endorsed the reshuffle in return for Hong’s acceptance of a four-point reform plan.

Under the plan, the new GNP chairman pledged to make the selections of candidates for the elections in a transparent and democratic manner.