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Ruling party leader’s empty flattery

Posted April. 11, 2016 07:24,   

Updated April. 11, 2016 07:30

한국어

Few politicians would be as unique as Kim Moo-sung, the ruling Saenuri Party’s leader. He says what he needs to say. He is a leader. He is not authoritative. Despite such positive assessments, he is criticized for a lack of decisiveness. He makes a strong argument but soon steps back, which people make fun of him referring it as a “law of 30 hours.” He, however, does not think it as his weakness. He believes flexibility is a compromise and democracy. Though such an excuse is so Kim Moo-sung, it sounds plausible.

He has his own way of campaigning for general elections. He piggybacks every candidate who he supports and says, “He (or she) will be something (a title).” As of Saturday, he promised the party’s secretary-general to 10 candidates: Lee Myung-soo, Hong Moon-pyo, Cha Myeong-jin , Kim Tae-won, Han Seon-gyo, Song Tae-young, Lee Sung-hun, Lee Hak-jae, and Kang Gi-yoon. He guaranteed some candidates certain titles such as chairman of the party’s policy committee (Cha Myeong-jin and Jeong Jin-seop); floor leader (to Kwon Yeong-se); the party’s leader (to Jeong Woo-tak and Kwon Young-se), chairman of the standing committee of the National Assembly (to Jeong Jin-seop and Lee Hak-jae); chairman of the special committee on budget and accounts of the National Assembly (to Park Min-sik); deputy chairman of the committee (to Hwang Jin-ha and Jeong Woo-taek); even a labor minister(to Kang Gi-yoon) and a president (Jeong Woo-taek).

Kim also promised titles to candidates in the run-up to the April 29 by-elections last year. He promised to the then candidates in the Seoul Metropolitan Area – Shin Sang-jin, Ahn Sang-soo, and Oh Shin-hwan. “I’ll make you become the members of the special committee on budget and accounts committee so that you can allocate a large budget to your constituency,” Kim said. This time, however, his language has changed to “I might make you….” A party’s leader who will step down after the general election cannot guarantee such titles, since nobody knows who will be the new leader. Lawmakers elect the speaker, the vice speakers, and the floor leaders of the National Assembly. Kim’s compliments are the best for campaigning as both candidates and voters are happy about it, regardless of the actual outcome.

In fact, there are many good titles in political parties and the National Assembly in terms of both honor and compensation. After the general elections end, both ruling and opposition parties will overhaul their organization. The speaker and vice speakers and chairmen of standing committees will be changed if the 20th parliamentary session begins. All of them will be occupied by lawmakers who will be elected in this general elections. A title represents power and money. Being a lawmaker itself is a great title. A general election is also war over titles.



이진녕 jinnyong@donga.com