Surprise list including 26-year-old venture businessman seen as reformative but showoff



Rep. Park Geun-hye of the ruling Grand National Party officially kicked off the party’s emergency leadership council Tuesday by confirming its 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 rose on whether Park’s choice would act in the benefit of the right-wing party which is 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 of Park’s list on Tuesday morning, the corresponding members met in the afternoon for an initial council meeting.

Though the former chairwoman was confirmed as the party’s interim chief last Monday, the actual kick-off was slowed down by the consequences of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il’s death, as well as Park’s cautious approach to member selecting.

Atop the list was Kim Jong-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 Jung-seok, 26, chief executive officer of Classe Studion, 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 progressive GNP first-term lawmakers.

Despite earlier speculations, the so-called pro-Park Geun-hye figures were largely excluded, in an attempt to end the persisting factional disputes and the resulting fall of 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)