Bitter Remarks from GNP’s Former Chairman

Lee Hoi-chang, former chairman of the Grand National Party (GNP), harshly criticized Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye, upcoming presidential hopefuls of the GNP, and Kang Jae-sup, current chairman of the GNP, for their unjustifiable and irresponsible attitudes towards the party’s current crisis over its primary rules on May 14.

“I had refrained myself from talking about this matter, but this time I must mention it in order to prevent this crisis from worsening,” said Mr. Lee in an interview with this paper at his home in Dongbuichon-dong, Seoul.

Lee added, “I don’t know whether or not it is okay for me to mention specific details over the rules, but the situation is very urgent. I believe that Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye should accept a proposal which deletes the item that requires a 67 percent voting rate among non-party member citizens if public opinions are reflected to determine the party`s presidential candidate from a compromise proposal made by the chairman Kang.”

The former chairman’s proposal is to remove this item –a guarantee of 67 percent turnout among non-member citizens – but keeping the increase of the Electoral College to 231,652 and the expansion of polling stations in cities, counties, and districts from the chairman’s proposal.

He also pointed out, “The former mayor’s argumentation is not persuasive because he seemed to have raised a question later as the situations worked against him. As for Ms. Park, sticking to fundamental rules is insensitive to politics.”

Moreover, Mr. Lee said, “Chairman Kang should have presented his proposal after sufficient coordination, and his behavior in staking his position and job on this matter after a candidate rejected the proposal is very irresponsible. He should persuade the two people with a week or a 10-day period of mediation.”

mhpark@donga.com