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| President Park Geun-hye attends a luncheon meeting with the team for the 9th International Abilympics at Cheong Wa Dae, Tuesday. / Joint press corps |
By Kang Seung-woo
President Park Geun-hye needs to talk with the opposition leaders and listen to their opinions about state affairs to avoid political conflicts during the remainder of her term, analysts said Tuesday.
After the ruling Saenuri Party lost their majority in last week's general election, Park faces calls to seek support from opposition parties in pursuit of economic and social reforms.
However, she has yet to show any signs of moving to improve relations with the opposition, as evidenced in remarks she made Monday during a meeting with her senior secretaries.
During the meeting, Park only said that she humbly accepted the results of the elections as representative of the minds of the people and would closely cooperate with the new National Assembly without elaborating further.
"President Park's comments fell short of expectations. I think she has not read the minds of the people yet," said Choi Chang-ryul, a professor of political science at Yongin University.
"She failed to show any signs of introspection about the elections and what she will do to improve ties with the opposition."
Bae Jong-chan, the chief director at political pollster Research and Research, said the election indicates that Park should be open to meeting with the opposition in handling state affairs, suggesting that she benchmark her U.S. counterpart in dealing with the opposition.
"As U.S. President Barack Obama has made efforts to meet with the Republican Party and convince it to back his agenda, she should be prepared to hold discussions with opposition leaders to draw their support for the government's policies," Bae said.
Choi echoed Bae's view, saying that Park needs to change the way she pushes ahead with policies.
"While stressing the importance of economic and labor reforms, she is also required to carefully listen to what the opposition parties are taking issue with and persuade them to follow her direction rather than disregard their opinions," Choi said.
"She needs to avoid being self-righteous about disputed issues with the opposition."
Cho Jin-man, a professor of political science at Duksung Women's University, advised Park to give and take in negotiations with the opposition.
"Under the current situation, President Park needs to meet opposition leaders and make deals with them to advance her agenda," Cho said.
"When the President cannot do this directly, she should consider other available options, including using the senior presidential secretary for political affairs."
There is speculation that a meeting between Park and the opposition leaders will happen in the near future so they can weather difficulties early.
However, Cheong Wa Dae remains cautious over the possible meeting because should it end without any progress being made, it may be seen that Park is under pressure by the opposition, hastening the arrival of a lame-duck session for her.
Meanwhile, President Park paid her respects to those who were killed in the April 19 Revolution, the pro-democracy civil uprising that led to the ousting of Syngman Rhee, the nation's first president.
However, her visit took place two hours before the official ceremony, which Kim Chong-in, the interim leader of the main opposition Minjoo Party of Korea, and Justice Party leader Sim Sang-jeung attended.
"It would have been better if the President had attended the ceremony and met with the opposition leaders, so that she could be seen as having made an effort to improve ties with the opposition," Bae said.
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