Leading presidential hopeful expected to play active role for party to regain public trust


Amid the Grand National Party’s efforts to refurbish its image after the Seoul mayoral by-election defeat, former chairwoman Rep. Park Geun-hye outlined her welfare policy, gearing up for next year’s presidential race.

“The fundamental solution to pending welfare problems is to turn the current vicious cycle into a virtuous one,” said Park at a party seminar Tuesday.

She also suggested employment as the keyword for welfare and sustainable growth.

“The government should focus on lifting the employment rate in order to offer people opportunities to gain social and financial independence,” she said.

“Direct aid and funds have but temporary effects, and should be limited to those who are not able to earn for themselves.”

Park has previously largely refrained from commenting on controversial issues, especially those that are the subject of inter-party disputes.

“Such matters as unemployment, irregular workers and tuition fees require relatively small budgets but still are priority issues,” said Rep. Lee Hahn-koo, Park’s close aide. “Rep. Park is taking an active stance as to find solutions to these problems.”

The potential presidential candidate’s moves came amid party efforts to regain public trust after liberal independent Park Won-soon’s win over the GNP’s Na Kyung-won in the Seoul race.

In some of the public polls following the mayoral race, the former chairwoman was outrun by professor Ahn Cheol-soo.

Key figures also agreed that Park needs to step out to raise her reputation and that of the party.

“Park is one of the most influential members within the party but yet she stays prudent and silent,” said Rep. Chung Doo-un, leader of the party’s policy panel, in a radio interview on Tuesday.

“It is her duty to play a due role for the party at this point in time.”

Former chairman Rep. Chung Mong-joon also suggested that Park should once again take part in the Supreme Council. He thus hinted that the party constitution should be revised to allow presidential candidates to hold in-party posts within an election year.

Some lawmakers directed blame at President Lee Myung-bak and Cheong Wa Dae.

“The ruling party may not truly renew itself unless the president acknowledges his faults and apologizes to the people,” said Rep. Chung Doo-un. “Reshuffles or policies will otherwise be of no use.”

Supreme Council member Rep. Won Hee-ryong also blamed the president for neglecting the economy and the people’s complaints.

“We will present renovation plans within days in a bid to start from scratch and regain the public’s trust,” said the party’s secretary-general Rep. Kim Chung-kwon.

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