By Kang Seung-woo
President Park Geun-hye's aides are likely to run for parliamentary seats in Daegu during the general election next year.
The city is a political stronghold for Park, so candidates supported by her are expected to have strong chances of winning seats.
There has been speculation that Park is not satisfied with the current lawmakers in Daegu, including former ruling party floor leader Yoo Seong-min.
Political analysts believe that the President's bid is part of efforts to tighten her grip on the Saenuri Party during the remainder of her presidency.
Jun Kwang-sam, chief of Chunchugwan, prompted speculation on Tuesday after he unexpectedly stepped down to brace for the general election, scheduled for April 13, 2016. Chunchugwan is the presidential press center.
"I resigned early due to my little-known reputation in the region," said Jun, who recently changed his address to one in Daegu.
Along with Jun, four other of Park's senior aides, including Ahn Jong-beom, senior secretary for economic affairs, and An Bong-geun, secretary for public information, are also expected to run in the elections in Daegu, where they attended school.
The speculation comes as President Park is reportedly trying to replace Yoo and his fellow lawmakers representing several districts in Daegu with her senior secretaries.
In June, Park and Yoo locked horns over a revision bill for the National Assembly Law, designed to empower the parliament to challenge government ordinances.
At that time, Park bashed Yoo, openly calling him a "traitor" and Yoo stepped down in the end. Yoo was Park's former chief of staff, when she was a lawmaker.
In addition, the senior aides' accompanying President Park during her visit to Daegu on Sept. 7 has fanned the flames of speculation.
Despite visiting the ruling party's home turf, Cheong Wa Dae did not invite any incumbent Saenuri lawmakers from the city.
The case drew a sharp contrast with another presidential event in Incheon two days later, where all lawmakers of the port city attended.
"The no-invitation case clearly shows President Park's intent," said Prof. Chung Goon-gi of Hongik University.
Yoon Hee-woong, a senior researcher at Opinion Live, said, "Park is focused on eliminating those who revolted against her while in conflict with Yoo. She is expected to handpick candidates for the constituencies currently seized by Yoo and his close aides.
In fact, Jun is expected to run for a seat in a district held by Rep. Kwon Eun-hee, close to Yoo.
Even after the general election, nearly two years will be left in Park's term, which will still need the support of the Saenuri Party to prevent her from prematurely becoming a lame-duck.
"President Park appears to believe that she needs supporters in her administration of state affairs during her remaining tenure," Yoon said.
"In this regard, Daegu is emerging as the best place because she is still popular and influential there. Along with the secretaries, Park may field some of her Cabinet members, as well."
Chung said that Park's possible reshuffling has to do with her post-presidential plan.
"By having her supporting group in the ruling party, Park will try to earn positive reviews of her administration after leaving Cheong Wa Dae," the professor said.
Along with them, presidential spokesman Min Kyung-wook and Cho Yoon-sun, former senior presidential secretary for political affairs, are also likely to pursue a seat at the National Assembly.
President Park Geun-hye's aides are likely to run for parliamentary seats in Daegu during the general election next year.
The city is a political stronghold for Park, so candidates supported by her are expected to have strong chances of winning seats.
There has been speculation that Park is not satisfied with the current lawmakers in Daegu, including former ruling party floor leader Yoo Seong-min.
Political analysts believe that the President's bid is part of efforts to tighten her grip on the Saenuri Party during the remainder of her presidency.
Jun Kwang-sam, chief of Chunchugwan, prompted speculation on Tuesday after he unexpectedly stepped down to brace for the general election, scheduled for April 13, 2016. Chunchugwan is the presidential press center.
"I resigned early due to my little-known reputation in the region," said Jun, who recently changed his address to one in Daegu.
Along with Jun, four other of Park's senior aides, including Ahn Jong-beom, senior secretary for economic affairs, and An Bong-geun, secretary for public information, are also expected to run in the elections in Daegu, where they attended school.
The speculation comes as President Park is reportedly trying to replace Yoo and his fellow lawmakers representing several districts in Daegu with her senior secretaries.
In June, Park and Yoo locked horns over a revision bill for the National Assembly Law, designed to empower the parliament to challenge government ordinances.
At that time, Park bashed Yoo, openly calling him a "traitor" and Yoo stepped down in the end. Yoo was Park's former chief of staff, when she was a lawmaker.
In addition, the senior aides' accompanying President Park during her visit to Daegu on Sept. 7 has fanned the flames of speculation.
Despite visiting the ruling party's home turf, Cheong Wa Dae did not invite any incumbent Saenuri lawmakers from the city.
The case drew a sharp contrast with another presidential event in Incheon two days later, where all lawmakers of the port city attended.
"The no-invitation case clearly shows President Park's intent," said Prof. Chung Goon-gi of Hongik University.
Yoon Hee-woong, a senior researcher at Opinion Live, said, "Park is focused on eliminating those who revolted against her while in conflict with Yoo. She is expected to handpick candidates for the constituencies currently seized by Yoo and his close aides.
In fact, Jun is expected to run for a seat in a district held by Rep. Kwon Eun-hee, close to Yoo.
Even after the general election, nearly two years will be left in Park's term, which will still need the support of the Saenuri Party to prevent her from prematurely becoming a lame-duck.
"President Park appears to believe that she needs supporters in her administration of state affairs during her remaining tenure," Yoon said.
"In this regard, Daegu is emerging as the best place because she is still popular and influential there. Along with the secretaries, Park may field some of her Cabinet members, as well."
Chung said that Park's possible reshuffling has to do with her post-presidential plan.
"By having her supporting group in the ruling party, Park will try to earn positive reviews of her administration after leaving Cheong Wa Dae," the professor said.
Along with them, presidential spokesman Min Kyung-wook and Cho Yoon-sun, former senior presidential secretary for political affairs, are also likely to pursue a seat at the National Assembly.
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