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New opposition leader fails 1st test on naval base funding

New opposition leader fails 1st test on naval base funding

Posted January. 02, 2013 00:26,   

한국어

Park Ki-choon has received a poor score in his first critical test as the new leader of the main opposition Democratic United Party.

Formerly the party`s floor leader, Park had reached a compromise with the ruling Saenuri Party to resolve the budget dispute over the construction of a naval base on Jeju Island before 2012 ended, but had to delay it to the New Year after failing to persuade party members.

Party members said Park did well in processing the 2013 budget plan with the ruling party for the first time in five years, yet made himself look bad due to lack of support from his party`s members.

Park was appointed chairman of the Democratic United Party Friday based on his pledge to ban the floor leader from concurrently holding the position of chairman of the party`s emergency planning committee. He, however, has yet to appoint the committee head.

A party source said Tuesday, "Park will meet senior advisers, former floor leaders and the heads of city and provincial party chapters for support."



irun@donga.com