[EDITORIALS]GNP should act like true party

The behavior of the Grand National Party is becoming more embarrassing as time goes by. Its members appear to have given up on becoming an authoritative party, an alternative party. One cannot help but wonder if they are under the delusion that if they oppose all policies coming from the current administration then they will hit the jackpot someday.
The debate over the relocation of the administrative capital began two years ago when President Roh Moo-hyun was a presidential candidate who hoped to gain votes from Chungcheong province voters. Two years have passed since then, yet the GNP fails to reveal a clear stance on this issue.
In yesterday’s general meeting, the party failed to reach any consensus other than saying, “We oppose relocation of administrative capital if it means the total transfer of the capital.”
The Grand Nationals are not meeting their minimum obligation as opposition party members. They deserve to be criticized for serious dereliction of duty. They are only concerned about seizing power instead of providing an alternative or a vision. Such a party has lowered itself to a mere gathering of political wannabes.
The government has announced areas for relocation of the capital and is currently moving forward with its plan. How much longer will the GNP continue to waver indecisively on this very important matter?
Last year, when the GNP held a majority of seats, it allowed the passing of the special bill on the new administrative capital, for which chairwoman Park Geun-hye later apologized. Now that the GNP has postponed the announcement of its position, which was supposed to occur yesterday, saying, “We haven’t gathered enough opinions,” what excuse will it have?
When the GNP members allowed the special bill to pass last year, they were thinking of the voters in Chungcheong province. Is this the same reason for the delay in announcement this time? It is only a matter of time before the people shun the GNP, which is attacked by progressives for being “corrupt conservatives.”
Parties must win with policies. If a party does not have an opinion on a core national policy, then they don’t deserve to be called a party. Before calculating votes, one must consider what is good for the country. Then the votes will follow. The GNP’s future lies in bravely stating the alternative and then waiting for the public’s judgment.