Party leader Han rejects resignation offer of secretary general Im


The main opposition Democratic United Party’s secretary-general Im Jong-seok on Friday offered to resign from his post and dropped his bid for the April 11 general elections, dealing another blow to the party’s leadership troubled by deepening feuds over its nominations.

Im has been under pressure to step down amid accusations of illicit political funding. He also has been criticized for mishandling the party’s nomination process and causing its approval ratings.

He nevertheless claimed to be innocent of the given charges and said that he only wished to avoid causing trouble to the party.

Some observed, however, that the irregularity suspicion may be a mere pretext to cover the underlying factional disputes over the recent candidate nominations.

Im’s resignation adds to chairperson Han Myeong-sook’s burden ahead of the elections. Her party is negotiating with the leftist minor Progressive United Party to form a broad alliance for the polls.

“I put down my duties as the party’s secretary-general and candidate,” Im said.

“I am, however, innocent of all bribery charges. I am not the kind of person to shift my responsibility to others.”

The former two-term lawmaker was indicted in July 2011 on charges of receiving illegal political funds from a troubled savings bank, and received a suspended term of six months last December. Im appealed to a higher court, denying the bribery allegations.

In the 1990s, Im was sentenced to five years in prison for masterminding a female student activist’s unauthorized visit to North Korea.

He also thanked chairperson Han for trusting him to the end, though his court ruling has continuously been a controversial issue within the party. Im was appointed to the key post in charge of election nominations by Han after she won a leadership contest in January, despite opposition over his ethical qualifications.

Han, on the other hand, rejected his resignation offer, once again confirming her trust in him.

“We are currently undergoing a critical phase and Im is to play a crucial role,” said Han.

“My faith in his sincerity remains unshaken.”

She defended Im earlier in January, describing Im as a political scapegoat by ruling party members and pledging to reform the prosecution.

Despite such support, the Han aide was faced with constant opposition especially since the party’s polls started to plummet amid recent nomination disputes.

As the party made its candidate announcements in Seoul and the stronghold southern region, former Democratic Party members strongly protested, claiming that they were deliberately ruled out of the list by the more liberal faction loyal to the late President Roh Moo-hyun.

Former civic group figures, too, raised objections over the fairness of the screening processes and called for the secretary-general to take responsibility.

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