Two GNP Presidential Aspirants to Meet Tomorrow

Internal dissension in the Grand National Party over its defeat in the April 25 by-elections entered a healing stage on Wednesday, thanks to former Seoul City Mayor, Lee Myung-bak’s decision to stand by Chairman Kang Jae-sup, and Rep. Lee Jae-oh’s decision not to resign from the party`s supreme council.

Lee, Kang and former GNP chairwoman Park Geun-hye decided to meet on May 4 at party headquarters to look back on the election defeat and unite in efforts to win the upcoming presidential election.

"I`ve thought about it at length and have decided to take the more difficult road of harmonizing the party and pursuing reforms," said Lee on Wednesday, at his office in downtown Seoul.

“I will meet Park without any conditions and make efforts through dialogue to regain the party’s public trust and help the party to unite. The GNP must start afresh while feeling indebted to the public. We must not break or split the party,” Lee said.

“I asked Lee Jae-oh to help the party reform and unite,” he said, “adding that, ‘we should take a positive approach even when we encounter unfair criticism.’”

However, with regard to the rules of the primary, he said, “It is unreasonable to push the open primary. The voices of the party and the public should be practically reflected 50/50.”

According to an aide to Lee Jae-oh, the supreme council member said, “In order for Lee’s message to be delivered correctly, I’ll take a rest today without expressing my position. I think I should renounce and lower myself.”

taylor55@donga.com