Rift Within the Grand National Party

Grand National Party presidential candidate Lee Myung-bak is expected hold a press conference on November 11 to announce his opinions on separating the power of president, the party and authority to nominate the party’s parliamentary candidates.

A close associate of Lee said on Friday, “The focus of his plan will be to mend fences with former Chair Park Geun-hye’s side.”

Prior to that, Lee called Park to ask her to meet with him and help him in his election campaign, requesting her presence at a party event scheduled for November 12 in Gyeongbuk Province.

However, Park declined to meet with Lee, saying, “As my position hasn’t changed, there’s no reason for me to bother,” said GNP Rep. Yoo Jeong-bok.

Lee took time on Friday to reflect on ways to improve his declining approval rating in light of former Chair Lee Hoi-chang’s presidential bid and Park’s “silence.” Canceling his all schedules of the day, Lee focused on drawing up future plans in a series of meetings with close associates and acquaintances in a Seoul hotel.

Lee Heung-ju, the spokesperson of Lee Hoi-chang’s camp, said yesterday, “If approval ratings for Lee Myung-bak and Lee Hoi-chang are almost the same, Lee Hoi-chang could support Lee Myung-bak, as he joined the race later than Lee Myung-bak.”

Asked by reporters about why the spokesperson made those remarks, Lee Hoi-chang said, “He meant that I’m willing to sacrifice to help the conservatives win the election. Please do not read too much into it. I’ll win (in the election),” dismissing any speculation that he might give up his presidential bid.

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