Economist wins Saenuri Party floor leader primary

Rep. Yoo Seong-min, a non-mainstream lawmker, won the primary vote for Saenuri Party floor leader on Monday, defeating former Maritime Minister Rep. Lee Joo-young in a close contest with about 56 percent of the vote.

Yoo’s victory appears to be an unofficial no-confidence vote from President Park Geun-hye’s governing Saenuri Party.

Park’s approval ratings have fallen to the lower 30 percent margin according to multiple polls conducted by Gallup Korea and Realmeter.

A majority of the 158 Saenuri Party’s lawmakers participated in the vote with 84 voting for Yoo and nine abstaining. Party chair Rep. Kim Moo-sung and Prime Minister nominee Rep. Lee Wan-koo abstained.

Yoo is expected to take a more critical approach to President Park Geun-hye’s policies. Yoo told Saenuri lawmakers he would support policies “that have the support of our people.”

“I am neither a pro-Park nor an anti-Park figure,” Yoo said before the vote. “I will strictly follow what our citizenry demands.”

Yoo is a three-term lawmaker and an economist who worked at the Korea Development Institute before entering politics.

By Jeong Hunny (hj257@heraldcorp.com)