Suh, Na may contend to become Saenuri leader

By Yi Whan-woo

Suh Chung-won, an eight-term lawmaker who is leading a faction affiliated with President Park Geun-hye, and Rep. Na Kyung-won, a non-mainstreamer, are emerging as strong contenders for the ruling Saenuri Party’s leadership race.

Suh is generally backed by the pro-Park faction after another Park loyalist, Rep. Choi Kyung-hwan, decided not to run in the election, scheduled for Aug. 9.

The legislators from minor factions are throwing their support behind Na, a four-term lawmaker who served as the chairwoman of the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee.

Although both Suh and Na have not officially announced their bids, party officials speculate that the party caucus will virtually be a two-way race between them.

The two possible candidates will be joined by four minor contenders ― Reps. Kim Yong-tae, Lee Jung-hyun, Choung Byung-goug and Han Sun-kyo.

Kim and Lee announced their bids on June 27 and July 7, respectively, while the remaining two did so on Sunday.

The Park loyalists have interpreted that the President recommended Suh to run for the party’s leadership when she invited all Saenuri Party lawmakers for a luncheon at Cheong Wa Dae, Friday.

The President then thanked Suh for “being the central figure of the ruling party and taking care of its junior legislators.”

Suh is expected to finalize his decision concerning the leadership race early this week, according to political sources.

Na said she is “debating whether to run for the party’s chair pushing for party reform and innovation.”

Some critics are skeptical about Na joining the race, citing that she already made a failed attempt for the party’s floor leadership in May.

Lee and Han are seen as Park loyalists but have fewer supporters than Suh within their faction.

Lee was a former political affairs and press secretary for the President. Han is a journalist-turned-politician and also served as commissioner of the Korean Basketball League from 2011 to 2014.

Choung was a former culture, sports and tourism minister under the government of Lee Myung-bak, Park’s predecessor.

Kim is a three-term lawmaker.