The Grand National Party's (GNP) reform committee has started laying out proposals for party reform. It has started by announcing part of the measures that it might take in order to escape its image as the "party of corruption." The level of its will to engage in reform is high, the way the committee went on its own inquiry into members accused of corruption using an internal "prosecutor" of sorts, and by proposing that National Assembly members' privilege of non-arrest be abolished. It also decided on major surgery to the decision making process, such as requiring 48 hour prior notice for party caucuses and open voting on "recommended party policy" instead of "binding party policy." If carried out as described it will mean considerable advances in party reform.
The committee also assumed a profoundly changed position in recommending to the leadership that the GNP passes the "three major reform bills," including the bill to abolish the National Security Law (NSL), in April's extraordinary session of the National Assembly. It has set mid-May as its goal for the completion of other tasks and most are reformist in nature, including the changing of policy towards North Korea from "strict reciprocity" to "mutually beneficial co-existence." Its proposals are noteworthy in that they could contribute to changing the party's old establishment makeup, which seemed immovable. It was also encouraging to see it work to listen to diverse views through open debate in the process of going from the sub-committee to full committee level with the proposals.
It looks like there will be a considerable amount of pain and complications in the process of adopting the proposals, including at a party caucus, because of the GNP's conservative atmosphere. One obstacle is the party leadership's promotion of a policy of "the people's welfare first" while being disinterested in dealing with bills that are points of contention. The committee is already being criticized for discussing floor strategy.
The committee was formed out of the desperate demand for fundamental changes in the composition of the party, necessary if it is to be reborn as a party with a chance at winning the presidency. That was why the GNP's various factions participated in committee activities and was given full authority. We hope the GNP recognizes the historical and representative nature of the committee and realizes that taking the proposals seriously would be the shortcut to being reborn.
The Hankyoreh, 26 March 2005.
[Translations by Seoul Selection (PMS)]
[Editorial] Hints of Reform at the GNP |
