Saenuri lawmakers to determine floor leader Yoo’s fate at general meeting

Saenuri lawmakers to determine floor leader Yoo’s fate at general meeting. July. 08, 2015 07:06. will71@donga.com.

Internal feud within the ruling Saenuri Party over calls for its Floor Leader Yoo Seung-min’s resignation is facing a watershed.

The Saenuri Party held an emergency meeting of its Supreme Council on Tuesday, and announced that “The party will hold a general meeting of its lawmakers at 9 a.m. on Wednesday and discuss whether Floor Leader Yoo needs to resign or not.” The council originally adopted as agenda for the meeting ‘the case for adoption of resolution to recommend the floor leader to resign.’ However, as a meeting of second-term lawmakers of the non-Park Geun-hye faction resisted, saying “The title itself suggests preset conclusion even before holding the general meeting of its lawmakers,” the title was changed to “discussion over whether (Yoo) will have to resign or not.”

It appears chances are not high that a vote will be convened at the general meeting of its lawmakers. Instead, lawmakers in attendance will express their views and gather opinions to decide whether to recommend Yoo to resign or not. Yoo said, “I will not attend the general meeting of lawmakers,” adding, “Whatever decision is made, I will follow the decision at the meeting.”

After the Supreme Council meeting on Tuesday morning, party Chairman Kim Moo-sung said, “We agreed to hold discussions to ensure that we don’t hold a vote (of confidence) as long as possible.” The party’s policy committee chair Won Yoo-cheol said, “We will draft a document suggesting that although Floor Leader Yoo had difficulties, he is advised to make a bold decision (to resign) for the sake of the party and the Park Geun-hye administration, and discuss about the issue at the general meeting of lawmakers.”

Even if a general meeting of lawmakers takes place, there is a chance that the meeting may fail to reach agreement on whether to recommend Yoo to resign or not. It cannot be ruled out that members of the non-Park Geun-hye faction who are supportive of Yoo will demand a vote, and thus enable Yoo to keep the post.