[Opinion] Rejoining the Party

Just days before the presidential election in November 2002, the news of Park Geun-hye rejoining the then main opposition Grand National Party made headlines. On the surface, it was a merger between two parties, but everyone described it as Park “rejoining the party.” She had bolted from the GNP in February that year, giving up her position as deputy chief after feuding with then party leader Lee Hoi-chang over the separation of presidential and party authority. She ran in the parliamentary elections two months later as an independent, and went as far as establishing a new party, the Korea Coalition for The Future, in May 2002. In the end, however, she “rejoined” the GNP as if nothing happened.

In Daegu Friday, Park addressed 24 candidates who won in this year’s general elections as pro-Park independents. She said, “You withdrew from the party because of unfair nominations. But now that you were chosen by the voters, the party should take all of you back without question.” Translation: they should be readmitted to the GNP unconditionally. Here is her logic: “Just as I was forced to leave the GNP six years ago when then leader Lee selfishly refused to undergo political reform, pro-Lee Myung-bak figures in the party kicked out those who supported me in this year’s race. Therefore, just as I rejoined the party back then, pro-Park independents should also be readmitted.”

Politics is all about talking up and working for a cause, but the logic behind the cunning words of politicians often covers up the ugly part of their battle. Park said she rejoined the party in 2002 because Lee realized his mistakes and accepted reforms, which were also why the party invited her back. The truth, however, was probably that Lee needed Park’s support to win the 2002 presidential election and that Park realized the bleak future of a minor party run by a lone wolf. How do things look out for Park this time? Her popularity has grown more, but it is doubtful whether any GNP member will warmly welcome her back just as Lee did six years ago.

The words of GNP lawmaker Nam Kyung-pil have unexpectedly gained attention. In a statement released Sunday, he said, “Whether pro-Park members will rejoin the GNP has become the most controversial issue in the party after the elections. It seems like they are the biggest partners in running the nation.” He then went on to say, “Our most important partner should be the main opposition party, not the pro-Park coalition.” Though his words do contain truth, the GNP will have to deal with the issue whether it likes it or not.