[EDITORIALS]GNP squanders opposition role

The internal strife of the Grand National Party has been approaching a climax after the National Assembly passed a bill on the creation of a special administrative city. Grand Nationals opposing the plan openly expressed their distrust of party leadership. The Grand National leadership is also expressing strong displeasure over the group. Even before the partition of the nation’s capital based on the relocation of government bodies stated in the bill, the Grand National Party seems to be divided first.
It is lamentable to observe the expression of the emotions of the two sides. The lawmakers who opposed the bill said Chairwoman Park Geun-hye sided with the governing party because she hopes to become the country’s next president. Representative Park Se-il, the party’s chief policymaker, resigned from his post and gave up his Assembly seat. Five out of six heads of policy coordination boards of the party said they will step down. Despite such strong protests, the party’s leadership said it will immediately accept the resignations, warning that anyone who wants to leave the party should do so.
As the situation evolves, we have no choice but to call the Grand National Party unruly. The minimum degree of respect is nowhere to be seen. The Grand Nationals’ process of collecting opinions inside the party over the administrative city bill was deplorable. If the lawmakers were going to voice such strong opposition, they should have said so loudly before the party decided to officially support the bill.
The leadership of the party is no different. Discord was destined to take place, but there was no sign of persuading opponents. Most of the Grand National’s policymakers protested the party’s support of the bill, indicating that it poorly dealt with the issue. That is why there is criticism that the party bartered the passage of the bill with the postponement of a bill on Japanese collaborators. Furthermore, only two-thirds of the Grand National lawmakers attended its policymaking meeting where support for the bill was decided as an official party stance. It is no wonder public disappointment grows.
The Grand National Party is facing a grave crisis, and we are skeptical if it can play the role of the major opposition. Without a healthy opposition, it is not possible to check the government’s power. Unless the Grand Nationals quickly refurbish their leadership, the people probably have to look for a new opposition party.