GNP faces reform calls after defeat

Opposition DP to hold convention by year-end to select new leader


Following Na Kyung-won’s loss to liberal civic activist Park Won-soon in last week’s Seoul mayoral race, the ruling Grand National Party faces mounting calls for reform ahead of general and presidential elections next year.

Na, the GNP nominee, lost to Park in 41 out of 48 constituencies in the capital, including her own constituency Jung-gu, causing a sense of emergency in the party.

Most swing voters below the age of 50 preferred the liberal independent candidate.

Though the GNP won most by-election races outside Seoul, the loss of the capital’s mayoral seat was considered a crushing blow.

Party chairman Rep. Hong Joon-pyo, however, did not resolve to resign as party leaders conventionally do following crushing election defeats.

“What we need is to renew the party’s morale in general,” he said on Friday.

“Changing the party’s name could also be an option, if necessary.”

His words came in response to the suggestion that the name “Grand National Party” has become an object of scorn among young voters.

Instead of replacing its top members, the party set to reinforce its policies over disputed welfare issues.

“Our top priority will be to find down-to-earth solutions to unemployment, college tuition fees, daycare and housing fees,” said Rep. Lee Ju-young, the party’s policy committee chairman.

The conservative party also pledged to strengthen its online communication through social networking services, which was proven to have a decisive sway over the election results.

“Outside specialists will be invited to lead the party’s online campaigns and party members will be further encouraged to talk to the Supreme Council through SNS,” said the party spokesperson.

Hong also cited “digital nomad” as the party’s new keyword.

Observers, however, pointed out that the liberal camp’s dominance in SNS was mostly due to the citizens’ voluntary participation, not a top-down order from the party.

While the ruling party struggled to recover its reputation, the main opposition Democratic Party also faced a crisis as it lost in most of the other by-elections outside of the Seoul mayoral race and Park has not yet resolved to join the party.

“The DP won little in the by-elections, as it gave away most of the posts to the GNP and the mayoral seat to a non-party runner,” said Rep. Kim Boo-kyum, demanding that Sohn and the Supreme Council take responsibility for the given results.

Sohn is expected to hold his seat until mid-December, based on the party’s constitution forbidding candidates to hold in-part posts for a year prior to the presidential race.

The party is thus scheduled to hold its national convention by year-end to select its new leader, but the date may be put forward, considering the calls for renovation, according to officials.

“Young voters may have turned their back on the government and the ruling party, but it does not necessarily mean that they will cast their vote for the DP next year,” said Rep. Park Sun-sook, the DP’s strategic chief.

By Bae Hyun-jung (tellme@heraldcorp.com)