Park calls for support from Saenuri Party

By Kim Hyo-jin

President Park Geun-hye called on the ruling Saenuri Party Friday to work together with the government to tackle security and economic challenges the nation now faces.

Park hosted a luncheon for Saenuri lawmakers at Cheong Wa Dae attended by 126 out of 129 legislators ― the third of its kind since she took office in February 2013.

“The ruling party and the government should join hands, free from political interests, and work to manage policy tasks smoothly and overcome challenges,” Park said.

“I feel heavy responsibility for the recent economic downturn and the poor state of public livelihood. I believe you feel the same. I wish you will now do politics that benefit the public.”

Park underlined the need for unity, citing security threats from North Korea and growing economic uncertainties due to Brexit.

The remarks came during a rare meeting between Park and ruling party lawmakers, which was arranged by the President in an effort to seek legislative support in the remainder of her presidential term that ends in February 2018.

The calls for a close relationship between the ruling party and the presidential office were higher than ever, as the legislative environment has changed in the newly inaugurated 20th Assembly with the opposition bloc outnumbering Saenuri.

The party performed poorly in the April 13 general election, relegated into the second-largest party with 122 seats in the 300-seat Assembly.

However, tensions grew between the two sides as the party’s emergency planning committee decided to readmit seven independent lawmakers, including Rep. Yoo Seong-min, a former floor leader who was estranged from the President.

With ongoing conflicts between lawmakers aligned with the President and those critical of her, Saenuri Party has been locked in a growing factional feud ahead of its national convention to elect a new chairman on Aug. 9.

Meanwhile, floor leader Rep. Chung Jin-suk proposed a special pardon to President Park on the occasion of Liberation Day on Aug. 15 and she responded positively.

“I proposed a large-scale special pardon to promote a sense of national cohesion especially when the nation faces economic and security challenges,” Chung said after the meeting. “It is a good idea,” he quoted Park as saying.