Insurgents within GNP spurn Lee's olive branch

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Insurgents within GNP spurn Lee's olive branch

Attempting to mend fences with restless party members calling for changes in the Grand National Party leadership structure, Lee Hoi-chang, the party president, said Tuesday that he would put the party on an acting-presidency footing as soon as he officially launches his presidential bid.

He did not promise to formally resign from his party post, but said, "I will delegate authority to an acting party president and council of vice presidents after announcing my bid. Together they will run the party on a consensus basis, which would be putting our party on a group-based leadership as the nonmainstreamers demanded."

"Nonmainstreamers" is how party insurgents describe themselves.

Some nonmainstreamers were not satisfied by Mr. Lee's promise. Representative Kim Deog-ryong and Representative Hong Sa-duk said the move "falls short" of their expectations. Declining to meet with Mr. Lee, the two said they would indicate in two days or so whether they will remain in or bolt from the party.

They would not be the first to leave the Grand National party, as rumors of a political "Big Bang" hang thick in Korea's presidential election year. Representative Park Geun-hye, a daughter of former President Park Chung Hee and a potential presidential contender, quit the party Feb. 27.

First- and second-term Grand Nationals with a reformist lean, led by Representative Kim Won-wung, criticized their leader for "not giving up his privileges."

Mr. Lee also addressed criticism that he runs the party with "cronies."

"I will not overlook unfair actions by those who cite their close position to me," he said. He added, however, that it would be "undemocratic for me to point out who can run for party vice presidency." His plan for an acting presidency and council of vice presidents envisions a leader selected from among vice presidential candidates who earned the most votes in the party's primary. The party's presidential nominee and party president and vice presidents, will be chosen in a series of ballots beginning April 13 in Incheon and ending in Seoul May 10.

by Choi Sang-yeon

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