Main opposition leader resigns

Han Myeong-sook, chairwoman of the main opposition Democratic United Party (DUP), speaks during a press conference in the party headquarters in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul, Friday, to announce her resignation to take responsibility for defeat in Wednesday’s National Assembly elections. Korea Times photo by Koh Young-kwon

Han Myeong-sook, chairwoman of the main opposition Democratic United Party (DUP), resigned from her post Friday taking responsibility for the defeat in the just-ended National Assembly elections.

“I am stepping down from the party’s top post, holding myself responsible for the defeat in the parliamentary elections,” said Han at a press conference at the DUP’s headquarters in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul. “Yet, I will still assist the DUP in taking over power through the presidential election.”

The presidential election is slated for Dec. 19. Despite her resignation, Han is expected to maintain her membership with the party.

The political heavyweight took leadership of the party in January.

In Wednesday’s polls, the main opposition party secured 127 parliamentary seats in the 300-member National Assembly while the Saenuri Party won 152 seats. Together with the minor Unified Progressive Party (UPP) with which it formed a strategic partnership, the opposition alliance obtained a total of 140 seats.

Though the results are not considered too bad, they fell short of expectations of a sweeping victory against the ruling party.

The political landscape was largely favorable to the DUP as a series of scandals such as a cyber attack on the National Election Commission and an illegal surveillance case involving Cheong Wa Dae officials have hit the ruling party hard since last December.

The opposition parties also usually have an advantage in elections held at the end of a presidency due to growing public frustration against the incumbent head of state.

The criticism mainly comes from the fact that Han, as the leader of the largest opposition party, failed to take advantage of the favorable public sentiment.

Analysts say she took the party in a wrong direction in terms of policy inclination, swayed by the UPP.

The opposition alliance pledged efforts to reverse major projects such as the free trade agreement with the United States and construction of a naval base on Jeju Island. They are sensitive issues in terms of national interests.

Analysts say the radical measures adopted by the opposition failed to attract moderate voters and also repelled some of the DUP’s traditional supporters.

Insiders also blame Han for failing to cope with off-colored jokes made by podcast star-turned-politician Kim Yong-min who ran unsuccessfully in the Nowon-C constituency in northern Seoul on the DUP ticket. His filthy and vulgar comments on minorities became the hottest issue at the last minute of the election campaigns.

Han urged Kim’s withdrawal from the candidacy only after days have passed.

Following her resignation either Supreme Council member Moon Seung-keun, who came second in the party’s leadership race in January, or Rep. Kim Jin-pyo, the party floor leader, will act as deputy leader, according to DUP spokesman Shin Kyung-min.

It is also to affect the DUP’s timeline for the presidential race.

“According to the party charter, the presidential candidate should be chosen by June 18. But we might have to postpone the date,’ said Shin, Friday.

Experts say the main opposition party can fall into further turmoil as factions hostile to the current leadership, largely led by pro-Roh Moo-hyun members, will begin to raise their voices for an overhaul of the party. <Korea Times/Chung Min-uck>

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