Ruling Party Faction Urges Earlier Nat`l Convention

Together Tomorrow, a group of 57 lawmakers supporting President Lee Myung-bak in the ruling Grand National Party, are trying to replace the party leadership by holding a national convention early. The group is the largest faction in the party.

Shim Jae-chul, co-leader of the group, told a news conference at party headquarters in Seoul`s Yeouido district, “We all agreed that a party overhaul without an early national convention is meaningless. To change our party substantially, we must hold an early convention to show our renewed attitude.”

“The party leadership is not the subject but the target of an overhaul. Because this means that all must give up their interests and make the party straight, an early convention is inevitable.”

Shim added, “Former party leader Park Geun-hye must also actively be engaged in the earlier convention if it takes place. I ask those of you who have significant influence in party management to participate in this, and not move to the sidelines,” suggesting the participation of former party lawmakers Lee Sang-deuk and Lee Jae-oh.

Party leader Park Hee-tae rejected the early convention proposal in a radio interview, however. “Is it appropriate for the party to wage an internal fight over its leadership while all of the people in Korea are making sweaty and painful efforts to stimulate the economy?”

koh@donga.com