Lawmaker close to Park selected as ruling party's secretary general

A four-term lawmaker close to leading presidential hopeful Park Geun-hye was selected Monday as the secretary general of the ruling Saenuri Party in a move expected to further consolidate Park's grip over the party seven months ahead of the presidential vote.

As secretary general, Rep. Suh Byung-soo will take care of the budget and other general affairs of the party. Suh's appointment completes a sweep of key party posts by those loyal to Park after Rep. Hwang Woo-yea's election as party chief and Rep. Lee Hahn-koo as floor leader.

The party's Supreme Council also appointed a journalist-turned-lawmaker, Rep. Kim Young-woo, as its spokesman.

Park has not formally announced her presidential bid, but few doubt she will run for president.

Park consolidated her standing as a leading presidential hopeful of the party after rebuilding the once-beleaguered party with sweeping reform measures and leading it to a widely unexpected victory in last month's general elections. (Yonhap News)