Partners instead of rivals

President Lee Myung-bak and former ruling Grand National Party Chairwoman Park Geun-hye, who share stakes in the ruling camp, held their seventh private meeting since the inauguration of the incumbent government. Negative rumors abound whenever they meet but this time, the two reportedly spoke about reviving the people`s livelihood and setting up a cooperative partnership for state administration this time around. As the effects of economic growth have not spread out evenly in causing the public to criticize the administration, President Lee and Park apparently reached a consensus on the looming crisis facing the ruling camp.

After the ruling party’s humiliating loss in the April 27 by-elections, President Lee and the party saw their popularity nosedive and face a severe slump. This is because the public have grown exhausted amid difficulties and become highly critical of the incumbent administration. President Lee and Park agreed on the need to galvanize domestic consumption. If the “bid to revive the people’s livelihood fails to take off,” something the two leaders have agreed to tackle, it will not only end up with as yet another failure of the Lee administration but could also hurt Park`s presidential bid next year.

In Friday’s meeting with the president, Park said, “The Grand National Party should pursue unity rather than division. Everyone of us should unite to tackle problems in the people’s livelihood and redouble sincere efforts to regain public trust.” The ruling party is experiencing strife even within the pro-Lee faction, which enjoys leadership in state administration. Going beyond differences in policy direction, the party`s lawmakers are struggling to survive individually, scrambling to follow factions that they believe will eventually prevail. The public is sick and tired of division and conflict between the pro-Lee and pro-Park factions in the party. If President Lee and Park fail to display leadership going beyond their respective factions, the great cause of unity, which the two sides can barely reach a consensus on, will prove to be mere political rhetoric.

On her future course of action, Park hinted at resuming political activity, saying, “Even if I have no party post, I could do something on my own.” Her comments could indicate her intent to end her practice of displaying “reclusive leadership.” She will have difficulty mobilizing momentum in her presidential bid if she keeps her image as “a prince under political oppression,” something she has shown thus far. Serving as an “opposition group within the ruling party,” Park has been mobilizing anti-Lee sentiment but rivals in opposition parties have emerged in an alarming fashion. A recent public poll found Park continues to stand atop the public approval ratings, but people who demand a “change of power” now outnumber those who support “the ruling party staying in power.” If Park fails to promote “her own vision” and display a capacity to maintain power, the “goddess of victory” will prove elusive to her again.

In the final days of the Roh Moo-hyun administration, the term “Roh Myung-bak” was in vogue. Roh’s unorthodox behavior and comments coupled with his policy failures effectively helped Lee win the presidential election. Just as Roh helped Lee become president, critics say the incumbent government’s low approval rating and the ruling party`s internal divide will help the main opposition Democratic Party to win next year`s presidential election. It will be truly worrisome for the party if President Lee and Park continue to turn a deaf ear to these warning signs.