Ruling party launches panel to overhaul itself ahead of major polls


The ruling Grand National Party’s emergency leadership council, which held its first meeting Tuesday, has asked Rep. Choi Gu-sik to quit the party over the recent cyber attack scandal involving his ex-secretary.

A former aide to Rep. Choi Gu-sik confessed earlier this month that he was responsible for hacking the National Election Commission website during the Oct. 26 by-elections. Though the aide, surnamed Gong, claimed to have acted independently, the allegations were a heavy blow to the right-wing party’s reputation.

It was the first action taken by the council to renew the GNP, which nearly collapsed following the en masse resignation of its leaders, leading to the creation of the emergency council led by former chairwoman Park Geun-hye.

“The so-called DDoS case should be thoroughly investigated and for this, Rep. Choi should break away from the party,” said Rep. Hwang Young-cheul, the party’s new spokesperson. “Should he be proven innocent of the given charges, he may resume his post.”

The prosecution is to indict Gong and accomplices this week and is also considering summoning the lawmaker for questioning, officials said.

Park officially kicked off the party’s emergency leadership council Tuesday by confirming its 10 members, which included both former senior presidential officials and young venture businessmen.

As Park’s list remained confidential until the very last minute, its content came as a surprise to many, including some of her closest aides.

Disputes also arose over whether Park’s choice would be to the benefit of the right-wing party which is trying to overcome its recent political downturn and achieve renewal ahead of next year’s general and presidential elections.

After the party’s national committee approved Park’s list on Tuesday morning, the corresponding members met in the afternoon for council meeting.

Though the former chairwoman was confirmed as the party’s interim chief last Monday, the the council establishing was slowed down by North Korean leader Kim Jong-il’s death, as well as Park’s cautious approach to member selection.

Atop the list was Kim Chong-in, a 71-year-old former Cheong Wa Dae secretary in economic affairs.

“Kim, with his years-long experience in politics, social affairs and welfare issues, will be able to suggest insightful policies for our party,” said Park.

The council also embraced a number of scholars, such as Cho Dong-sung, 62, business administration professor in Seoul National University, Lee Sang-don, 60, law professor in Chung-Ang University, and Lee Yang-hee, law professor in Sung Kyun Kwan University.

Two businessmen added their names to the list ― Cho Hyun-jung, 54, president of Bit Computer and Lee Joon-seok, 26, chief executive officer of Classe Studio, a budding venture firm.

The latter in particular attracted the public’s attention as he was not only the youngest but only an unprecedented member of the conservative party’s decision-making body.

“I will fully activate the communication channel between the party and the young voters’ group,” said Lee.

He also expressed his profound interest in the Income Contingent Loan system, which enables university students to delay their tuition loan payback until getting a job.

Park also included four members from within the GNP, mostly from the reform-friendly group, reflecting her determination to respond to the party’s renewal calls.

Floor leader Hwang Woo-yea, policy committee chairman Lee Ju-young, as well as first-term lawmakers such as Reps. Joo Kwang-deok and Kim Se-yeon were named.

Joo was one of the members who boycotted the party’s forceful ratification of the Korea-U.S. free trade deal and Kim is the leader of Minbon 21, a group of reform-minded GNP first-term lawmakers.

Despite earlier speculation, the so-called pro-Park Geun-hye figures were largely excluded, in an attempt to end the persisting factional disputes and the resulting fall in the public’s support rate.

The council composition largely reflects Park’s political tendencies, according to officials.

“Few of the corresponding members had any ties with the political circles,” said a GNP member who is one of her closest aides.

“She focused on their fields of expertise and their potential to bring a fresh wind to the party.”

However, some also expressed concerns over the fact that many of the members had no political experience and that Park’s selection was more of a political show to exhibit the party’s renewal plans.

“It is important to reform the party, but it remains questionable whether these members are actually ready to come up with practical policies right away,” said Rep. Kwon Young-se, a senior GNP lawmaker.

The council is to lead the ruling party until a new leadership is selected and is expected to last up to the general election slated for next April.

By Bae Hyun-jung (tellme@heraldcorp.com)