Competition for the ruling Saenuri Party’s chairmanship heated up further Sunday as more senior lawmakers announced their bid to run in the upcoming leadership election, adding to the clash between those close to the president and the reformists.

The key variable in the race is 73-year-old Rep. Suh Chung-won, an eighth-termer who is said to be considering his candidacy upon the request of the pro-Park Geun-hye clique.
“I announce my bid in the party’s chairmanship election, seeking to renew the Saenuri and to renovate the nation,” said fifth-termer Chung Byoung-gug during a press conference.

“I will restore fundamental conservative values such as liberal democracy, market economy and national security.”

The party’s national convention, including its election for new leadership, is slated for Aug. 9.

Chung’s key slogan is to end the rampant abuse of power, which has often been pointed out as a social ill that triggers discrimination and violence.

“What the people want the most is to put an end to such abuse of power. We should learn from their anger so as to implement disruptive and creative self-reform,” he said.

It was the party’s arrogance which made the public turn its back on it in the April 13 general election, resulting in the crushing defeat of the ruling conservative camp, according to Chung.

Chung, who served as culture minister in the former Lee Myung-bak administration, is considered a representative member of the non-Park cluster, standing at odds with the pro-Park mainstreamers.

Speaking for the pro-Park faction, fourth-termer and former broadcasting announcer Rep. Han Sun-kyo also announced his bid to join in the race, along with other pro-Park members who have already confirmed their candidacy. Among them is Rep. Lee Jung-hyun, a former senior presidential secretary for public affairs, who recently came under fire for allegedly censoring a public broadcasting report on the Sewol ferry sinking in 2014 that had blamed the nation’s coast guard for neglecting rescue duties.

“I cannot suddenly turn into a non-Park figure but I will give up all vested rights of the pro-Park faction,” Rep. Han said, calling for self-reflection and unity.

The main concern for both factions, however, is whether Rep. Suh Chung-won will also run, in response to calls from pro-presidential members.

Last week, former Deputy Prime Minister and ranking pro-Park figure Rep. Choi Kyung-hwan renounced his candidacy, encouraging Rep. Suh to take control of the party.

This move drew complaints -- from within and outside the party -- that pro-Park Suh is not fit to achieve the political reforms required of the party.

Observers nevertheless speculated that the obvious support from his faction and from the president may eventually push him to accept the challenge.

“I appreciate your efforts as the top senior member (of the party),” President Park told Rep. Suh on Friday, during a Blue House luncheon with all 129 members of the Saenuri.

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