ID :
79129
Wed, 09/09/2009 - 14:40
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https://www.oananews.org//node/79129
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President signals new, improved ties with ruling party
By Byun Duk-kun
SEOUL, Sept. 9 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak met with the new leadership of the ruling Grand National Party (GNP) Wednesday in a clear sign of efforts to renew his parliamentary ties ahead of an expected drive for political reform that could include a constitutional amendment.
The president also agreed to more regularly meet party leaders and lawmakers in
response to a request from new GNP chief Rep. Chung Mong-joon, according to GNP
spokesman Rep. Cho Hae-jin.
Wednesday's meeting came two days after Chung, also the largest shareholder in
Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., took the top GNP post vacated by his predecessor
Park Hee-tae, who is running for a parliamentary seat in the Oct. 28
by-elections.
The presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said the meeting was only aimed at allowing
the president and the new party leadership to become better acquainted, but it
also came amid apparent efforts by Lee to strengthen his influence over the
party, which controls 168 seats in the 299-seat parliament.
The president named three GNP legislators to Cabinet posts in a recent reshuffle
that affected the prime minister and six Cabinet ministers despite his
longstanding opposition to hiring incumbent lawmakers for government posts.
Lee congratulated the new 51-year-old chief of the GNP, saying the party seemed
to be "full of energy," according to the GNP spokesman.
"I will do my utmost to help improve cooperation between the party, government
and Cheong Wa Dae and to improve communication between the ruling and opposition
parties," Chung was quoted as telling the president.
In a related move to win GNP support for his envisioned political reform, the
president was also set to meet with party lawmakers who head National Assembly
committees later Wednesday.
In a speech marking the nation's Aug. 15 Liberation Day, the president called for
efforts to reform the country's election system, a move that could require
changing the Constitution.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)
SEOUL, Sept. 9 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak met with the new leadership of the ruling Grand National Party (GNP) Wednesday in a clear sign of efforts to renew his parliamentary ties ahead of an expected drive for political reform that could include a constitutional amendment.
The president also agreed to more regularly meet party leaders and lawmakers in
response to a request from new GNP chief Rep. Chung Mong-joon, according to GNP
spokesman Rep. Cho Hae-jin.
Wednesday's meeting came two days after Chung, also the largest shareholder in
Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., took the top GNP post vacated by his predecessor
Park Hee-tae, who is running for a parliamentary seat in the Oct. 28
by-elections.
The presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said the meeting was only aimed at allowing
the president and the new party leadership to become better acquainted, but it
also came amid apparent efforts by Lee to strengthen his influence over the
party, which controls 168 seats in the 299-seat parliament.
The president named three GNP legislators to Cabinet posts in a recent reshuffle
that affected the prime minister and six Cabinet ministers despite his
longstanding opposition to hiring incumbent lawmakers for government posts.
Lee congratulated the new 51-year-old chief of the GNP, saying the party seemed
to be "full of energy," according to the GNP spokesman.
"I will do my utmost to help improve cooperation between the party, government
and Cheong Wa Dae and to improve communication between the ruling and opposition
parties," Chung was quoted as telling the president.
In a related move to win GNP support for his envisioned political reform, the
president was also set to meet with party lawmakers who head National Assembly
committees later Wednesday.
In a speech marking the nation's Aug. 15 Liberation Day, the president called for
efforts to reform the country's election system, a move that could require
changing the Constitution.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)
