GNP in turmoil: Revolt threatens to whittle ranks

With its leader overseas, the main opposition Grand National Party on Monday sank deeper into internal tumult. Some in the party, including Representative Choe Byung-yul, one of the GNP's vice presidents, blasted the "cronyism of party head Lee Hoi-chang."

Representatives Hong Sa-duk and Kim Mahn-je asked that Mr. Lee relinquish the party presidency and adopt a group-based leadership before the December presidential election.

The party has been volatile since Representative Park Geun-hye, a popular party vice president, bolted. Representative Kim Deog-ryong, another influential voice of dissent within the opposition, has said he will quit the party. Mr. Hong has also hinted he might leave.

Mr. Choe, a former Seoul mayor, said, "When Ms. Park quit, there was the opinion that the party's mainstreamers should embrace her and other non-mainstream members. But look at what happened." Mr. Choe said the people close to Mr. Lee should stop working to divide the party.

Representatives Kim Won-wung and Suh Sang-suhp joined in the assault on the party chief.

"If Mr. Lee doesn't seriously consider a change, I will seriously rethink staying with the party," Mr. Kim said. He added that he felt Mr. Lee had reacted too complacently to the ever-changing political landscape.

Mr. Hong also threatened to jump ship if Mr. Lee does not step down from his official party posts and end the boss-dominated party structure.

Representative Ha Soon-bong defended the opposition leader. "The party's decisions are made in a democratic manner," Mr. Ha said. "There is no 'crony politics.'"

Mr. Ha added that the party would not change to a group-based leadership as suggested by Representatives Hong and Kim Mahn-je.

Mr. Lee returns from Japan on Wednesday, after which he is expected to take action to halt the internal revolt rocking the party. An internal dispute within the ruling party in November led to President Kim Dae-jung stepping down as party head and the adoption of a primary.

by Lee Sang-il