Saenuri floor leader in limbo amid criticism over revision bill for National Assembly Act

Monday’s meeting of the Saenuri Party’s Supreme Council seemed to be a forum to criticize its Floor Leader Yoo Seung-min, who is in charge of negotiations over the revision bill for the National Assembly Act. The presidential office’s criticism of "unconstitutionality" of the revision bill for the National Assembly Act appeared to be concentrating on Yoo.

Rep. Suh Chung-won, leader of the pro-Park Geun-hye faction in the party, started offensives. “Some raised issue with (possible unconstitutionality) in the party, but it is true to some extent that the bill was approved grudgingly due to the Civil Servants Pension Act,” he said. “If you think lightly, it is too obvious what kind of situation will happen going forward.”

“The president is undeniably the supreme leader of the party,” Rep. Rhee In-je, a Supreme Council member, also said. “The floor leadership and party chairman are advised to make up their mind now, though belated, and visit the presidential office.”

Another Supreme Council member Kim Tae-ho, a member of the non-Park Geun-hye faction, said, “The results of negotiations are always considered causes of conflict between the party and the presidential office,” targeting at Floor Leader Yoo. Rep. Lee Jung-hyun who is a Supreme Council member as well as a member of the pro-Park faction, said, “If somebody has to take responsibility, it is a matter that we can consider holding someone responsible."

No voices sought to side with the floor leader. Even when the party was deliberating a plan to compromise ruling and opposition parties that suggested linking approval of the Civil Servants Pension reform with the National Pension on April 28, the mood was not as grave as it was on Monday.

Floor Leader Yoo, who looked gloomy, remained silent throughout the Supreme Council meeting on the day. Even after the end of the meeting, when asked what the party will do if the president exercises her veto power, he only said that he would think about it, before hurriedly leaving the meeting.

However, Yoo reportedly has the belief that since the revision bill for the National Assembly Act is not compulsory, the presidential office is overreacting. He also judges that the party cannot afford to hold renegotiations with the main opposition party. He is effectively sandwiched between the presidential office and the opposition party. As President Park hinted at using her veto power, and the pro-Park faction strongly protest the bill, the party’s leadership will more likely take time before pushing ahead. On the accusation that Yoo is responsible, he tersely said, “If things like that comes, I can (leave) anytime…” before starting agonizing.

soof@donga.com