‘Choo’s flip-flop hurts opposition credibility’

South Korea’s main opposition party leader has come under fire for proposing Monday a one-on-one talk with President Park Geun-hye and changing her mind later that day. Her conservative rivals called the quick change in stance a typical case of the opposition camp’s recklessness and lack of responsibility.

“I am sorry for causing confusion to the citizens and party members. I am also regretful to the two other opposition parties,” Rep. Choo Mi-ae, chairwoman of the Democratic Party of Korea, said in a Facebook post Tuesday.

As she felt burdened to do something to end the crisis of leadership engulfing the nation, she wanted to try talking the scandal-ridden conservative president into voluntary resignation, she added.

Rep. Choo then proposed to form an emergency committee encompassing opposition parties and civil groups.

The Democratic Party leader’s about-face came after the party’s lawmakers decided to adopt a more hard-line stance and officially demand Park’s resignation at a general assembly in the evening. The lawmakers harshly criticized their leader for having pushed for her own agenda without any discussion with other party leaders or members.  

The presidential office and the ruling Saenuri Party expressed regret over the cancellation of the meeting.

“We expected the talk between the president and Rep. Choo to find ways to stabilize the nation and normalize state affairs, and (we) regret her one-sided decision,” Presidential Spokesperson Jung Youn-kuk said Tuesday.

He highlighted that the president had swiftly responded to the proposal, agreeing to meet Rep. Choo on Tuesday. 

Saenuri chief Rep. Lee Jung-hyun was more outspoken.

“Politics is all about trust. It is regretful that the main opposition party just changed their decision in such an irresponsible manner,” Rep. Lee said.

The party’s floor leader Chung Jin-suk questioned the opposition camp’s willingness to put an end to the presidential crisis that has brought about a paralysis of the executive branch.

“I wonder if the opposition party members have any will to normalize the government, (as they are) blocking any chance for possible talks with the president,” he said. 

He added that the Democratic Party is trying to use the scandal involving President Park to its own advantage.

However, the two minor opposition parties, which had criticized Rep. Choo’s solitary push for the meeting, responded to Choo’s decision by reiterating unity within the opposition.

“All three of the opposition parties have consented to pressure President Park to resign. We should be able to discuss the detailed plans right away, even tomorrow,” Rep. Shim wrote on her Facebook late on Monday night.

Former leader of the Democratic Party and a presidential hopeful Moon Jae-in also said Tuesday that the incident became a trigger for the opposition parties to reboot cooperation and raise one united voice to push for the president‘s resignation.

By Jo He-rim (herim@heraldcorp.com)