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| Liberty Korea Party (LKP) Chairman Hwang Kyo-ahn listens to Rep. Na Kyung-won, floor leader of the party, during a meeting at the National Assembly, June 10. Yonhap |
By Park Ji-won
Liberty Korea Party (LKP) Chairman Hwang Kyo-ahn is facing challenges in showing his leadership capability to party members before the upcoming 2020 general election amid doubts over his ability to promote LKP candidates.
Last week, Rep. Hong Moon-jong announced his defection to the Korean Patriots Party (KPP) ― a far-right party that supports ousted former President Park Geun-hye ― which named him a co-leader. Hong, the first member to leave the LKP, took four months to decide to flee the party following the election of Hwang in February.
Insiders point out that his defection from the major opposition party may not be a major concern regarding other LKP members possibly considering a similar move, however, some believe it could be the beginning of an internal feud before the elections.
"During a closed-door meeting, Hwang listens to members' opinions rather than giving his own. This could be considered as him being a good listener, but some say he is not charismatic and is too cautious about making remarks and important decisions," an LKP member said.
Adding to this, a growing number of LKP members have started to complain about his recent decisions on new nomination rules for the general election and the ongoing boycott of the national Assembly by the party.
The new rules preclude any current LKP lawmakers who opposed the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye from being nominated, which angered Park loyalists and possibly led to Hong's defection.
Rep. Cho Won-jin of the KPP reportedly said, "Hwang fails to satisfy patriots who want a unified conservative camp to prevent the left-wing regime from taking power again." He added that the KPP will recruit more LKP lawmakers before the general election so that they can create such a group and win the election.
The LKP's Rep. Kim Jin-tae openly criticized Hwang, June 12, saying, "Conservatives worry about the fact that Hwang apologizes too often. Politics is all about a verbal battle. He cannot win the fight against right-wing people by worrying too much."
On the same day, Rep. Chang Je-won also criticized Hwang and LKP floor leader Rep. Na Kyung-won over their decision to boycott Assembly activities to protest the fast-tracked political and electoral reform bills, saying, "Many LKP supporters said the party should stop boycotting parliamentary activities and take action to normalize the National Assembly."
Experts say it is inevitable for Hwang to face criticism from so-called Park loyalists, but he needs to take a firm stance if the LKP is to win in the elections.
"Hwang should take a firm stance over criticism from members and Hong's defection, and secure his position within the party. Otherwise, it will continue to lose," Kim Hyung-jun, a politics professor at Myongji University said during an interview with YTN.
"I think it is time for the LKP to understand the reality that people think the so-called Park loyalists have ruined the party. If the LKP will not resolve the issue, there will be no future for the party."
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