MPK to elect new chairman in late August or early September

By Jun Ji-hye

Kim Chong-in

The main opposition Minjoo Party of Korea (MPK) will hold a national convention to elect a new chairman and members of its Supreme Council in late August or early September, party officials said Tuesday.

The party will maintain the leadership of its interim leader Kim Chong-in until the national convention takes place, said party spokesman, Rep. Park Kwang-on.

The decision was made during a meeting with lawmakers-elect and party officials at the National Assembly.

“Once the 20th National Assembly settles into shape, I will prepare for holding the convention at the earliest possible date,” Kim said in a speech. “I am willing to leave the post and dissolve the emergency planning committee if other people think that is a something urgent.”

The term of the 20th Assembly will begin on May 30, and then lawmakers need to form standing committees.

“Forming the Assembly properly will be a sure thing to do first (before holding the convention),” Kim said.

A party official said on condition of anonymity that it will take approximately three months for the party to form the Assembly and prepare for the convention after the term of the 20th parliament begins, referring to Kim’s remark that he will try to hold it at the earliest possible date.

The decision is expected to end a deepening internal feud between Kim supporters and those who follow the legacy of late President Roh Moo-hyun over whether Kim should stay or quit.

Kim was handed full leadership authority of the MPK by former Chairman Moon Jae-in, Jan. 27, along with the task of reversing the party’s declining popularity ahead of the April 13 general election.

Kim’s leadership appeared to have been successful after the MPK unexpectedly secured 123 seats of out of 300 total seats, beating the ruling Saenuri Party by one seat.

However, the pro-Roh faction insists on holding an early party convention and forming a new leadership in late June or late July, claiming that Kim should be held responsible for the party’s defeats in the traditional stronghold of the Jeolla provinces to the minor opposition People’s Party.

Kim’s supporters shot back, saying that Kim’s leadership saved the party from the edge of a cliff, arguing that an early convention will only worsen the intra-party factional dispute that already put the party at risk before the election. They suggested maintaining Kim’s leadership until the end of this year.

Differing opinions regarding when to hold the convention even led to conflict between Kim, who represents the new face of the party, and Moon, regarded as leader of the pro-Roh faction. Moon served as chief of staff in the Roh administration.

Tuesday’s decision to hold the convention in late August or early September is regarded as a compromise.

During the meeting, Kim said that he never asked to extend his leadership, expressing displeasure over the internal conflict over his future.

“I hope that members of his party stop talking about that,” he said.