Subscribe
E-Paper
By Kim Hyo-jin
The main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) elected Rep. Kim Sung-tae as its new floor leader, Tuesday.
Kim, a confidant of party Chairman Hong Joon-pyo, beat Hong Moon-jong, a loyalist of disgraced former President Park Geun-hye, and Han Sun-kyo, a candidate with no factional ties.
Kim garnered 55 of 108 votes while Hong and Han had 35 and 17 votes each.
Rep. Ham Jin-gyu, Kim's running mate, became the party's chief policymaker.
Kim's victory is expected to consolidate the leadership of Hong, who has vowed to reform the conservative party by weakening the influence of the pro-Park faction.
The three-term lawmaker will be tasked with enhancing the LKP's presence in the National Assembly. Despite the advantage of being the second-largest party, it has failed to reflect its opinion in negotiations with rival parties.
The recent budget talks, in particular, fanned doubts over the party's negotiation skills. With the ruling Democratic Party of Korea and the minor opposition People's Party teaming up, the LKP virtually surrendered to their plans for an increase in civil service jobs and a corporate tax hike.
Mindful of the party's weak presence, Kim said in his acceptance speech, "I will step up the fight against the Moon Jae-in government's populist policies."
