Lee suggests ruling party take responsibility for election defeat

SEOUL, April 29 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak said Friday that success depends on reflecting on failures without blaming others for what went wrong, and political success is no exception.
"Politicians often blame others (for failures), and I've never seen such people succeed," Lee said during a visit to a business incubation center, encouraging start-up owners to focus on learning from failures without shifting the blame to others.
"Those who blame themselves at times of failure and hardship are bound to succeed. This is true in business, government and all other areas," he said.
The remark, which came after the ruling Grand National Party (GNP) suffered a humiliating defeat in Wednesday's by-elections, was seen by some as meaning that the party itself should take responsibility for the failure without shifting the blame to the president or others.
The GNP won only one of three key races in the elections, losing out in its stronghold district of Bundang, south of Seoul, to main opposition Democratic Party (DP) leader Sohn Hak-kyu.
The defeat raised an alarm at the party ahead of next year's nationwide parliamentary elections and presidential vote, sparking calls for a leadership change. The chairman and all other GNP leaders decided to quit en masse to take responsibility.
Lee also said he takes the defeat "gravely" and pledged to make greater efforts to care for ordinary people and create more jobs for them.
Aides said Lee is seriously considering shaking up the Cabinet and the presidential office, a move seen as aimed at bringing fresh energy to his administration following the election defeat as he faces his final year in office next year.
Lee's five-year term ends in early 2013, and he is barred by law from seeking re-election.
Presidential chief of staff Yim Tae-hee told Lee on behalf of all senior secretaries Thursday that they also feel responsibility for the election results and are ready to resign while suggesting that Lee reorganize the office to give it a fresh look, officials said.
"The suggestion was not a formality," a senior presidential official said, indicating that it is possible that the chief of staff could step down. "Unless key posts are replaced, would the people and the ruling party take it as a fresh look?"
The official said, however, that it is not clear how many aides will be replaced and whether Yim will be among them.
Officials have said that Lee is expected to carry out a minor Cabinet reshuffle that could affect up to five ministers. The reorganization of the presidential office is expected to come after the Cabinet shake-up.
jschang@yna.co.kr