Pres. Lee to Meet Former GNP Chairwoman

What conversation will President Lee Myung-bak and former Grand National Party leader Park Geun-hye make when they meet on Saturday?

Sources from the two sides said, “Nothing has been coordinated.” But, GNP lawmakers believe that the president and the former GNP chairwoman will discuss how to help lawmakers-elect close to Park return to the GNP and narrow disputes over the free trade agreement between Korea and the United States.

The biggest issue at stake is whether to allow lawmakers-elect to return to the GNP. Park has urged the GNP, “I will not run for party leadership in the upcoming convention in July not to divide the party, only if the party allows lawmakers-elect close to me to return to the party.”

The presidential office has argued, “The decision is up to the party,” while making no comment over the issue. However, it is likely for the two to reach an agreement on the issue since Lee, facing difficulties over U.S. beef imports, asked Park to have a talk first. A GNP lawmaker said, “It’s unlikely that Lee asked Park to have a meeting without any measures to solve Park’s demand. He should first deal with the demand if he wants support from Park.”

Lawmakers close to the president have also changed their stance and welcomed pro-Park lawmakers’ return to the GNP. For example, Park Hee-tae, close to Lee, said, “We have to get along with lawmakers-elect outside the GNP at the moment.”

Given the former GNP leader has made it clear that she is strongly opposed to the idea of partial or selective reinstatement, there also exists a possibility that all of the lawmakers belonging to the Pro-Park Alliance and independent lawmakers, close to Park, will return to the GNP.

However, it still remains to be seen since the Pro-Park Alliance is investigated on charges of irregularities in the selection of candidates for proportional seats and because some GNP lawmakers close to Lee and even some members of the Pro-Park Alliance harbor antipathy against Seo Chung-won, who leads the alliance.

A lawmaker close to Lee said, “GNP lawmakers largely support the idea of allowing most of the lawmakers-elect belonging to the Pro-Park Alliance and independent lawmakers to return to the GNP immediately after the party convention in July. But, that does not mean we would embrace some illegitimate lawmakers-elect who are suspected of being involved in the fraudulent nomination scandal.”

A lawmaker-elect close to Park said, “Even if the GNP allows all the relevant lawmakers to return to the ruling party, those in question will be screened. Certainly, those indicted on charges of violation of election law are not allowed to become GNP members. Also, if they are found guilty, their names would be naturally taken off the roll.”

Also, some even argued that the president would suggest Park lead the GNP. However, Park reiterated on Friday to reporters at the National Assembly that she would not run for the party chief post if the reinstatement issue goes smoothly.

She also said, “It’s not up to the presidential office. Only the person chosen by party members can become the party leader. President Lee also said that the party should deal with significant matters by itself.” A majority of lawmakers close to Lee believe that Kim Hyung-oh will be chosen as National Assembly speaker, Park Hee-tae as GNP chairman, Hong Jun-pyo as floor leader, and Lim Tae-hee as chief policymaker.

Lee is also expected to ask Park to strongly support the FTA ratification at the National Assembly and the government’s effort to deal with recent disputes over U.S. beef imports.

sunshade@dogna.com