Will Upcoming Meeting Bring Lee and Park Harmony?

Grand National Party (GNP) presidential candidate Lee Myung-bak announced yesterday that he would soon meet former archrival and GNP leader Park Geun-hye. After the announcement, he told the press, “I’m not sure what we will discuss. But Ms. Park and I share the goal of replacing the current administration. I think we can work it out together.”

Park herself did not make any public comment. But her aides welcomed the decision, saying, “Better late than never.”

Their meeting will be the first of its kind since the end of the primary. All GNP members wish the meeting to function as an opportunity to stitch up the intraparty schism and pave the way for a harmonious future. The vast majority of political commentators count out the possibility that they would discuss how to fill the party posts. Candidate Lee affirmed, “I do not and will not set forth any conditions on the meeting. I really want to talk with her about how to cooperate for our victory.”

Some still worry that the differences over specific approaches to the goal might defer their rapprochement, driving a wedge deeper between them.

Key member of the Lee camp Jeong Doo-eon reinforced that concern. He countered Park’s demand for party leadership, saying, “Park publicly conceded to the primary result, and promised full cooperation. It’s not the time for her to claim any leadership.”

Speaking for Park, Rep. Kim Moo-sung stressed, “Everything starts with Mr. Lee’s sincerity. If he asks for Ms. Park’s help from the bottom of his heart, things will work out in a harmonious way,” indicating it is Lee who should make the first move to embrace his former opponent.

GNP leader Kang Jae-sup reportedly worked hard behind the scenes to get them together.

Seeing Park’s followers boycott the official party dinner held at a resort town, Kang rolled up his sleeves to harmonize the two opposing factions. He reportedly called Lee and Park over several occasions to induce their consent. Then he personally visited Park Tuesday for her agreement to attend the upcoming meeting.

ddr@donga.com