Democratic Party reacts to changes in ruling camp

The main opposition Grand National Party is monitoring changes in the power dynamics of the ruling Grand National Party after the latter elected Hwang Woo-yeo as its new floor leader and Chung Ui-hwa as chairman of its emergency countermeasures committee.

If the ruling party`s reform drive gains momentum, this will greatly affect next year’s general and presidential elections.

Given that the effect of the Democratic Party’s victory in last month`s by-elections was diminished due to internal conflict over the parliamentary passage of the free trade agreement with the European Union, a wave of change in the ruling party has put the opposition party on alert, multiple sources of the Democratic Party said.

A lawmaker close to Democratic Party chief Sohn Hak-kyu said Sunday, “Ruling party floor leader Hwang`s rational mindset and frank attitude are his strengths. This will change the ruling party’s image. The Democratic Party should be on alert.”

Democratic Party Rep. Moon Hak-jin, who chairs the party’s reform committee, also said, “We need to closely watch how far the ruling party`s reform drive led by Hwang, who was chosen by those loyal to (former ruling party chief) Park Geun-hye, will go.”

Certain Democratic Party members are urging a new strategy as the target of its offensive against the ruling party is likely to disappear, referring to a decline in the influence of those backing President Lee Myung-bak. In his Cabinet reshuffle Friday, President Lee excluded from the new line-up Yu Woo-ik, former ambassador to China, and Kwon Jae-jin, senior presidential secretary for civil affairs, two men who are considered his close confidents.

Yu was thought to be the favorite for unification minister and Kwon for justice minister.

Many in the Democratic Party also blast their party leadership for breaking the agreement with the ruling party and the government on the ratification of the Korea-EU free trade agreement.

Rep. Kim Yeong-hwan, head of the parliamentary committee on knowledge economy, blasted the party leadership in his statement, saying, “(In the process of ratifying the agreement,) the party only focused on distinguishing itself from other opposition forces.”

Rep. Baek Won-woo, a member of a group supporting the late President Roh Moo-hyun, told reporters Friday, “Who is willing to negotiate with the Democratic Party down the road? Korea that is highly dependent on external trade cannot survive without free trade agreements.”

The May 13 election of the Democratic Party’s new floor leader will likely be affected by the ruling party`s reform drive, which sought a reform-minded figure as floor leader.

Democratic Party floor leader candidate Kim Jin-pyo, who was reelected in the capital area, promoted his candidacy by saying, “The Grand National Party elected Hwang (an Incheon native) as its floor leader to secure victory in the capital area in next year’s general elections.”

Another candidate, Kang Bong-kyun, a third-term lawmaker based in the Jeolla provinces, however, is stressing his neutrality and ability as a competent policymaker. “The results of the ruling party election have completely changed its factional landscape,” he said.

Rep. Yoo Seon-ho, a third candidate who is also a third-term lawmaker based in the Jeolla provinces, emphasizes the establishment of the party’s identity, saying, “When the ruling party chooses change, the opposition should present a clear identity.”

Experts say, however, that the results of the ruling party election for floor leader will not affect that of the Democratic Party as the three candidates represent no specific region, faction or ideology.

jin0619@donga.com