By Lee Tae-hoon
Rep. Sohn Hak-kyu, chairman of the Democratic Party (DP), withdrew his decision to step down as head of the main opposition party, Wednesday, over the DP’s failure to produce a candidate in the upcoming Seoul mayoral by-election.
“I have realized that what is more important than saving face is a victory in the mayoral race and unifying the liberal camp,” he said.
“Having realized that I still have things to contribute to the party, it will be an honor for me to complete the remaining tasks.”
He offered to resign Tuesday as his party’s selection, Park Young-sun, was eliminated in a primary to select a unified candidate from the opposition camp, edged out by lawyer-turned-activist Park Won-soon.
Sohn reversed his position in just a day after 65 lawmakers signed up for a resolution calling for him to rethink his decision to step down.
The DP controls 87 seats in the 299-member unicameral legislature.
The DP lawmakers demanded Sohn stay in the leadership post until all problems are sorted out, saying otherwise the party will be in a crisis.
Rep. Chung Dong-young said Sohn’s resignation offer now is not timely, considering the DP is almost in a panic after Park Young-sun lost in the contest.
Other lawmakers who signed up for the measure called on Sohn to lead the party until Oct. 26 at least.
Some observers cautiously expressed optimism over the DP leader’s political future and his party, saying the upsetting result in the primary will help restore unity.
However, others expressed deep concern, saying it was inappropriate for him to offer his resignation in the first place as this revealed that he can be inconsistent with his policies and didn’t take his job seriously.
The independent Park’s victory was not surprising because even before the contest he was a front-runner in polls. But it dealt a serious blow to the main opposition party as it has to forgo a candidate in the crucial mayoral election which is seen as a spring board to the presidency.
The party’s defeat to Park who has no organization deepened concerns among DP members.
Some questioned the existence of the DP as a political party. They say a party exists to select a competitive candidate who can best represent its visions and ideology in an election to gain support from voters and ultimately take power.
If a political party has no representation in an election, they are questioning why such a party needs to exist.
Some analysts say the DP’s defeat in the primary indicates that partisan politics are becoming less effective.