By Chung Min-uck
As a strong sense of crisis is weighing on the Grand National Party (GNP), prompted by the resignations of key lawmakers from their posts, now all attention is on the ruling party’s destination.
Experts share the notion that the governing party will face growing upheaval ahead of the crucial general election in April and presidential vote in December.
GNP Supreme Council member Rep. Won Hee-ryong vowed Wednesday that he would deploy a campaign for the dissolution of the party.
“All party members should risk their destiny. It is not a matter for several members to defect,” he said. Won, one of the key close aides to President Lee Myung-bak declared he would resign, taking responsibility for the aggravating crisis facing the ruling party.
Some pundits say regarding the future of the GNP, it will explore ways of survival amid its deepening internal feud, triggered by the withdrawal of the Supreme Council members.
Though GNP Chairman Hong Joon-pyo refused to step down, despite pressure from the Supreme Council members, observers say that it is matter of time for Hong to follow suit ahead of key elections next year.
Under the first scenario, the party will likely speed up efforts toward reform under the leadership of presidential candidate Park Geun-hye.
This is because only Park now has the authority to lead the party and revitalize it. Though pro-Park faction members have downplayed such speculation until now, experts say that it will be inevitable for Park to stand at the front amid the unprecedented turmoil.
“If political parties are to be split and broken whenever they are in a pinch, it is not good for the development of party politics. It is important to reform the GNP to the level equivalent to recreation through integration and harmony,” said Park in a recent TV interview.
In another scenario, the party may face a split into factions backed by presidential candidates other than Park. If Park is to take the leadership reins, other discontent groups could break off to create their own conservative parties.
Ten lawmakers who Tuesday pushed the current leadership for reform are close aides to the party’s presidential hopefuls such as Gyeonggi Governor Kim Moon-soo, former Chairman Chung Mong-joon and President Lee Myung-bak.
“There can be the creation of a totally new party that can embrace the neutralists,”said Won. Observers say some of the defectors could also join the projected neutral party initiated by Park Se-il, Hansun Foundation chairman.
The last scenario is the dissolution of the 14-year-old GNP. If its members agree that the ruling party cannot be sustained until the general election slated for April, they can call for its breakup.
Then each faction including the pro-Park one will move on to form independent parties as next year’s elections draw near. In this case, observers say that independent parties will be able to freely form alliances with other political entities which would further complicate the political landscape.
“The GNP should question its existence in the future. I am questioning whether the GNP can actually survive,” said Jeon Jae-hee, three-term GNP legislator.