Choi's return to ruling party a big boost for President

By Kang Seung-woo

Kim Moo-sung

Choi Kyung-hwan

Finance Minister Choi Kyung-hwan, also a lawmaker of the ruling Saenuri Party, is expected to play a central role in gathering parliamentary support for President Park Geun-hye after leaving the Cabinet, analysts said Tuesday.

Choi is one of the five ministers Park replaced Monday so they could run in the general elections in April. They will remain in their posts until their successors take office following parliamentary confirmation hearings.

Choi’s return to the ruling party may complicate internal discussions over how to change nomination rules for elections, with rival factions locked in a feud over the issue for weeks.

Some lawmakers are worried that Choi may use his influence to help confidants of President Park win tickets to run in the election and give a boost to her Park.

Thus far, the pro-Park faction, led by seven-term legislator Suh Chung-won and lesser-known lawmakers such as Hong Moon-jong and Yoon Sang-hyun, has failed to have a bigger say against more extreme members, including party Chairman Kim Moo-sung.

“Suh has failed to live up to expectations as the leader of the pro-Park faction,” said Chung Goon-gi, a professor at Hongik University.

“Choi will assume the de facto leading role of the faction in the lead-up to the general election. In addition, given that President Park has a surefire representative in the ruling party, she will easily deliver her messages to the party.”

In addition, Choi, who is pursuing his fourth parliamentary term next year, has no special duties within the ruling party.

Hangil Research Director Hong Hyeong-sik said, “As Choi showed his ability to lead in state affairs as finance minister, he will play a pivotal role within the Saenuri Party.”

Bestowed with the confidence of President Park, he was one of the country’s most powerful finance ministers during his 17-month tenure, with his economic policies ― dubbed “Choinomics” ― focused on reviving domestic consumption, using a supplementary budget.

Currently, the pro-Park lawmakers and dissenting factions are at odds over the nomination rules for the general election to field more candidates from their sides and Choi’s return may add fuel to the feud.

In this respect, it seems inevitable that Choi may clash with Kim.

Earlier this month, Choi reportedly met him to discuss the nomination rules, but they remained apart over how to implement a runoff vote to nominate the winner between the top two people in a first-round vote.

“Choi is expected to take action considering next July’s convention,” a party member said, hinting that the former minister may run for the party chairmanship.