GNP renewal begins now: chief

Hong unveils roadmap for reform amid mounting pressure to resign

By Lee Sun-young

Grand National Party chairman Hong Joon-pyo said he will start immediately efforts to “recreate” the party, as fears mounted among its members that the party, without drastic reforms, will be crushed by a resurgent liberal opposition in crucial elections next year.
“A committee, comprising both party and non-party figures, will be launched soon, tasked with preparations for the recreation,” Rep. Hong told a press conference at the National Assembly in Seoul.
The politician, GNP chief since July this year, unveiled his roadmap to recreate the party, a day after he survived a virtual vote of no-confidence.
Three of the five members of the party’s top decision-making Supreme Council resigned Thursday, stating the need for a leadership shakeup.
A defiant Hong, however, called on a general gathering of all GNP legislators, asking rank-and-file members to decide his course of action. Hong said he would lead efforts to reform the party, if members allowed him.
“I have a roadmap to recreate the party in mid-February, after completing a candidate-fielding process (for the April general election),” the chairman told members during the meeting.
His assurance, however, failed to placate the reform-minded members who think Hong must bow out to allow a new start for conservatives, beset by a series of corruption scandals and election defeats.
“Under the current leadership, our party will not be able to overcome a crisis of life or death which it is now in. We urge Hong to make up his mind (on his course of action) and shift the party into an emergency management system,” first-term lawmakers belonging to a group called Minbon21, said in a statement.
If the demands are not met, they will take “drastic actions,” which, insiders say, include deserting their party membership.
Rep. Won Hee-ryong, one of the three Supreme members who quit Thursday, blasted Hong that he was clinging to his post and vested rights.
He said there are at least two legislators who will bolt out of the party with him, if they have to.
(mliaya@heraldcorp.com)