As President Park Geun-hye approaches six months in office, the high drama over the National Intelligence Service’s political interference and the Roh Moo-hyun administration’s controversial stance on the sea border with North Korea threatens to overshadow her economic policy drive.

Fierce political rough-and-tumble is expected this month with the launch of a special probe into the NIS’ online smear campaign, and the disclosure of the original transcript of the 2007 inter-Korean summit talks.

While Park has maintained distance from both controversies ― and remains determined to ― the main opposition Democratic Party is expected to escalate their demands for Park to take responsibility.

Observers said that while Cheong Wa Dae would continue to focus instead on Park’s policy overtures, the prolonged clash may bog down her efforts, with her administration’s “honeymoon period” already over. 

“The situation could worsen if the main opposition Democratic Party capitalizes on these issues for their internal power struggle between the current leadership and the pro-Roh forces,” said politics professor Yun Seong-yi of Kyung Hee University.

Signs emerged of a power struggle recurring between the current DP leadership led by Kim Han-gil and the pro-Roh forces led by former presidential candidate Rep. Moon Jae-in, as the latter flexed his political muscle over the weekend by staking his political career on the NLL dispute. The move was considered to be an indication that Moon would start to maximize his political clout.

Upon returning from her state visit to China last week, Park remained low-profile on Monday, during which she was briefed on the domestic political situation. The rival parties had just agreed to open special probe into the NIS’ smear campaign attempt, followed by another agreement the next day to view the full original transcript of a meeting between former President Roh Moo-hyun and then-leader of North Korea Kim Jong-il.

Over the weekend, some DP members were witnessed chanting “Impeach President Park” while attending a rally.

So far, Cheong Wa Dae has remained unaffected. To any related questions, the presidential office reiterates Park’s remarks on June 24 that “the NIS has not given any help during the presidential election,” and that “the questions surrounding the NIS raised by both parties should be clarified before the public.”

Her distance appeared to be maintained until it was alleged that two of her key campaign managers, Rep. Kim Moo-sung and Ambassador to China Kwon Young-se, attempted political manipulation by getting hold of the Northern Limit Line transcript last year.

“We urge Park, as the president of the Republic of Korea, to apologize for the past error of the NIS for this grave matter and clearly state her position on how to prevent such incidents from reoccurring,” said DP’s chief spokesman Kim Kwan-young.

For the time being, Park is expected to continue her schedule dedicated to promoting policies related to public welfare and the economy.

This month is reportedly filled with events and conferences to announce new policy blueprints and discuss economic measures to foster a “creative economy” and revitalize growth.

They include measures to foster and activate investment for small and mid-sized businesses, and the release of a master plan to develop the service industry.

Her administrative drive, however, faces its own obstacles as the business circles are expressing deeper dissatisfaction toward such measures as stronger regulations for subcontracting. Scores of other sensitive issues including tighter control of cross-shareholding, also one of Park’s key pledges, await discussion.

While Cheong Wa Dae struggles to maintain a “straight face” from the possible ripple effect, the pundits cautioned that the political confrontation could backfire on all those involved.

“An extended political standoff on these two issues, both of which have little prospect of a productive conclusion, will only further aggravate public distrust and disgust toward politics,” Yun said.

By Lee Joo-hee (jhl@heraldcorp.com)