A debate over possible political realignment is growing as signs of partisan split continue to loom large at the ruling Saenuri Party and moderate bigwig politicians volunteer to lead the new wave.
At the center of the talks are independent veterans originating from mainstream parties. They suggest that new political entities are needed to overhaul factional strife and reform-minded moderates should rally behind the move.
Fomenting such an atmosphere is the aggravating internal feud at the ruling Saenuri Party, which has failed to appoint an interim leadership amid heavy power struggle amongst factions defined by their perceived loyalty to President Park Geun-hye. Some party members predicted the party would eventually split across factional lines.
Saenuri Party floor leader Chung Jin-suk (left) sits next to The Minjoo Party of Korea’s interim chief Kim Chong-in and People’s Party‘s chairman Ahn Cheol-soo during a memorial service for former National Assembly Speaker Kim Jae-soon at the National Assembly on Saturday. (Yonhap)
Among the moderates aiming to seize the momentum is ex-opposition leader Sohn Hak-kyu. The former Gyeonggi governor, who had competed to run for the 2007 presidential election, announced Wednesday that he would build a “new system” in politics.
“The people are asking us to bring a new system into politics,” said Sohn. His top aides noted that his reference to the “new system” indicates sweeping realignment that goes beyond onetime coalition among opposition parties designed to win an election.
The former political science professor, who has stayed out of politics since his decision to end his political career after his election defeat in 2014, is expected to announce his return to politics in July when his advisory groups mark their 10th anniversary, according to sources.
Outgoing National Assembly speaker Rep. Chung Ui-hwa is another heavyweight joining the fray. The four-term lawmaker, who had been a Saenuri member until his speaker position, stepped into the political limelight when he challenged President Park and her faction over her vetoing a law passed by the lawmakers last June.
Chung, whose term ends on May 30, said that he would launch “political association” this October that can attract reform-minded moderate politicians. Chung has not run for the 20th Assembly. He also said he was not sure whether to return to the Saenuri Party.
“I heard many politicians are showing their interest in the new political association. We would later decide whether the organization should take the form of a political party,” Chung told the reporters after presiding over final plenary session Thursday.
Whether the realignment would attract political momentum hinges on the outcome of the Saenuri Party’s national convention. The event is to elect the party leadership slated to take place between late July and early August.
Some party members said that if the party fails to elect the leadership capable of the factional feud, the party would be divided between the faction close to the president and its dissenters. “A lot of changes would take place after the event,” said third-term lawmaker Rep. Chung Doo-won.
One of the changes coming into play is U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Ban, who has been consistently mentioned as a potential presidential candidate, will visit South Korea this week with just some six months left before the end of his term at the U.N.
Though the former South Korea foreign minister has not specified his plans after finishing his 10-year tenure, local media and political pundits have speculated that he could run in the 2017 presidential election as a candidate from the Saenuri Party.
Other politicians from the opposition bloc showed mixed reaction to the rising calls for political realignment among the conservatives. The third-largest People’s Party welcomed the move, while main opposition The Minjoo Party of Korea called it a political gimmick.
“If some Saenuri dissenters defect from their party, we are willing to accept those who can share our values,” said the People’s Party leader Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo. But he dismissed the possibility of forming a coalition with the Saenuri Party.
The Minjoo Party’s leader Kim Chong-in and its floor leader Rep. Woo Sang-ho said that the debate over the political realignment was “too early” and will not serve the interests of the people.
By Yeo Jun-suk (
jasonyeo@heraldcorp.com)