Park Geun-Hye Consolidates May 31 Gains
Kang Jae-Sup, a protege of Park Geun-Hye, has been elected to succeed Park as Chairman of the Grand National Party (Conservative Opposition). Kang narrowly bested his main rival, Lee Jae-Oh, a protege of Park’s main political rival, Seoul mayor Lee Myung Bak.
Lee and Park, the daughter of long-time military dictator Gen. Park Chung-Hee, are competing for the GNP nomination for the 2007 presidential election. Park’s own GNP chairmanship was criticized for its absence of affirmative principle and reliance on Roh Moo Hyun’s mistakes, but Park managed to keep the fractious party united and steer it to a series of impressive wins at the polls. Those wins, and what is perceived as Park’s calm reaction to an assassin’s attempt to slash her throat during a campaign rally, have boosted her poll numbers past those of Lee. An independent inquiry later concluded that the assassin (say it with me) acted alone.
Lee has also been damaged by allegations of corruption and a propensity for gaffes.
For a woman in her 50’s Ms. Geun-Hye is attractive. I guess all that kimchee over the years does keep the wrinkles at bay.
This is good news as Kang was relatively unknown and kept low profiles. Fact that Kang won shows the legacy and strong support among GNP.
What’s conerning is possibly growing rift within GNP between “old” timers in Park/Kang and “young reformers” in ex mayor Lee.
Let’s just hope that GNP does not split as we have real chance of taking over the Blue House in Jan 2008 and reverse 5+ years of DAMAGE done by NO and his commie cronies.
I’m also fearful that Park may be assasinated during election next year by DPRK agents as Park taking over is REAL FEAR for DPRK.
I would hate to think that their maybe some family curse on her. What do you think Duke?
GNP winning next election in ROK is midget Kim’s nightmare. You gotta give credit to smart as fox midget for orchestrating the politics in ROK in last 10 years with conning DJ and bringing NO and his cronies under his influence. NO’s lame and no response for days after midget’s July 4th fireworks display just tells you who the boss of ROK/DPRK is.
Any GNP presidential candidate is risking her/his life as midget Kim and his spies/cronies will do wahtever they can to disrupt the presindential election if it looks like GNP is going to win including assasination. It kind a happened on last election by an amateur career criminal using box cutter. Imagine well trained DPRK agent doing it…
My other fear is break-up of GNP resulting in PIG Uri winning the election. This is more so upon hearing the inside scuttle butt after Kang won.
I definitely never saw Lee MB as a reformer.