hankyoreh

By Seong Yeon-cheol

Kim Jong-in, a member of the Grand National Party's emergency measures committee, effectively called for Lee Myung-bak to leave the party Wednesday in a move that has observers predicting controversy.

President Lee "needs to make the call himself," Kim said.

Speaking at a debate at the National Assembly organized by GNP lawmaker Won Hee-ryong, Kim said, "I do not think the President should be thrown out of the party, given that he has a position as a party member." At the same time, he added, "The President himself must determine what position to take to ensure the party stays in power.”

"As the top leader, he should consider this, and if he doesn't, it gets quite complicated," Kim added. Kim also said, "Even if the GNP is the ruling party, it is unlikely to find favor with ordinary citizens if it is not prepared to actively criticize ineffective policies right now.” Kim added that the party "could distinguish itself by frankly admitting the mistakes made by the current administration and declaring that it is moving in a different direction.


"If the administration and the Grand National Party cannot achieve some degree of distinction, then they are unlikely to win over voters at the moment," he said.

Controversy erupted in the GNP over the first calls for Lee's departure from the party in December, when lawmaker Kwon Young-jin said, "It is unavoidable for the President to manage the election from a neutral position and finish up with his governance." The debate subsequently died down, but appears set to start again following the remarks from Kim, a key figure on the party's emergency measures committee.


The Cheong Wa Dae (South Korea’s presidential office or Blue House) and GNP hurried to get the situation under control. Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Park Jung-ha said, "We are currently determining the background and true motives behind Kim's remarks.”

"Since we understand this is not the party's official position, we do not intend to respond," Park added. GNP spokesman Hwang Young-cheul said Kim's reference to the President's departure from the party was "not the official position of the emergency measures committee."


But lawmakers in the GNP's Lee wing expressed displeasure. 
Cho Hae-jin said, "It is naive to expect the people of South Korea to absolve the Grand National Party of political responsibility after it accounted for one pillar of governance, simply because the President leaves the party.

"Indeed, it would come across as cowardly and petty," Cho added.


Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]