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GNP Embroiled in an Ideology Dispute

Posted February. 05, 2007 03:00,   

한국어

The Grand National Party (GNP) is engaged in a heated dispute over the party’s ideology and identity.

Reps. Won Hee-ryong and Go Jin-hwa, who have been under criticism from conservative forces, are gaining ground by drawing attention from the public over an ideology dispute. Their endeavor, however, might end up as a “tempest in a teacup,” as former Seoul major Lee Myung-bak and former chairwoman Park Geun-hye, who are excelling in the competition for presidential candidacy, are distancing themselves from the dispute.

“You are the ones who should leave the party”-

In a press conference held on February 4 at the party’s headquarters in Yeomchang-dong, Seoul, Won denounced Rep. Kim Yong-gap, who is considered the leader of the party’s conservatives, by claiming, “People who are against the identity of the GNP are not those who pursue constructive conservatism but reactionary conservatives. Let us figure out who it is that undermines the party’s identity.” Kim had insisted before, “Won Hee-ryong and Go Jin-hwa, who are undermining the party’s identity, should leave the party.”

Won also called for the dismissal of Yoo Seok-chun, the co-president of the GNP’s Headquarters for Right Politics Campaign who demanded that Rep. Go—a presidential hopeful—should be “ousted,” dubbing him a “subordinate to the [ruling] Uri Party.” Won criticized him, saying, “It is McCarthyism to try to oust a lawmaker by red-baiting him.”

Go also held a press conference on that day and claimed, “Regarding the recent red-baiting attempts, regionalist politics and controversy over unfairness, I call for the party leadership to give a clear explanation, investigate the issues through a verification committee and punish those who are responsible for them.”

“Come clean about your ideology and identity”-

On that day, Won also asked other presidential hopefuls—former Seoul major Lee Myung-bak, former chairwoman Park Geun-hye and former Gyeonggi governor Sohn Hak-gyu—to clarify their identity.

With regard to the argument, “Recent ideological attacks have deliberately been planned by a certain presidential hopeful,” Won stated, “I do not think [those attacks] were planned ones,” but emphasized, “Former chairwoman Park should make it clear that she is not preoccupied with red-baiting.”

Major presidential hopefuls, however, are distancing themselves from the dispute for now. Former Seoul major Lee asserted, “Now is not the time to waste time in an ideology dispute.” Aides to former chairwoman Park also stressed, “Park has nothing to do with the recent incident nor is she willing to engage in it.” Former Gyeonggi governor Sohn attended a Buddhist ceremony at Jeungsimsa Temple in Mt. Mudeung, Gwangju, Jeolla Province and simply stated, “The GNP enjoys high approval ratings but has a strong image as reactionaries and as players in regionalist politics.”



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