Uri Party leaders already said last month they were going to form a new party as early as January 29.
I guess that is not soon enough for some (Korea Herald):
Rep. Im Jong-in, a first-term lawmaker, resigned from the Uri Party yesterday in what political observers see as the start of a series of high-profile defections from the governing party in the run-up to the December presidential election…
…Im, an outspoken progressive left winger, is the first lawmaker to desert the embattled party.
Announcing his resignation, he slammed the Uri Party for losing its liberal identity and pursuing conservative policies.
“I defected from the Uri Party today. The Uri Party, which has become conservative, cannot represent its supporters - ordinary and middle-class citizens,” he said at a news conference.
Im Jong-in? Im Jong-in… Where have heard that name before?
Great Googa Mooga! He is the Kookhoe rep for Sangnokgu in Ansan (where I live).
BTW, I know that my lovely wife did not vote for him back in 20o4. By some violation of the laws of physics, she split her votes between the Grand National and the Democratic Labor parties.
Back to the matter at hand; the Chosun says that Im’s move is just the beginning.
10 Comments
Ideal scenario: Uri get split into two or three small parties, thereby rendering themselves virtually powerless. Lefties bitch-fight with each other until those dumbasses realize the election is only a few months away. Lee or Park wins the election.
But the lefties in Korea unfortunately have an uncanny ability to unite whenever the election comes near, and they know exactly how to win public’s support. The lefties’ populist anti-US, anti-Japan, anti-corporate and anti-elite rhetoric, coupled with dirty election strategies (a la Kim Dae-Eop’s ‘Byeong Pung’ incident in the last election) will probably sway many Koreans back left.
Here’s another reason that name may sound familiar.
Nice one joshua, did not make the connection till the update. Funny, I thought the liberal conservatives would be the first to bail.
Uri might be virtually powerless but it could be at the point of a sword against GNP. Just heard on the SBS radio news quoting “Moon hwa Ilbo” that GNP will damaged by Uri dang with less presidential-election subsidy from gov.
With Current party system - GNP would receive 22.2 billion Won
If Uri splits into two - GNP will get 17.7 bil Won
If Uri splits into three - GNP will get 15.4 bil Won
If Uri splits into four parties still form an allied line against GNP on presidential election - GNP will only receive 13.9 bil Won.
JiMong,
Now THAT is interesting. I would love to know what formula they use for that.
@JiMong: That figure surely is interesting. But, given GNP’s close ties with the evil elites and evil corporations, I have no doubt GNP can come up with more than enough funding for its campaign.
Here’s link to the Munhwa Ilbo,
http://www.munhwa.com/news/vie.....5230680022
It predicts that the subsidy (Political Party + Election) to the GNP will reduced by 40% to 57%. Amounts are bit vary though.
If Uri splits into four parties still form an allied line against GNP on presidential election. GNP’s pie will be reduced by maximum 57%. And four parties will form an acting negotiation party (Has to have minimum 20 seats in Congress) and have a unified candidates like DJP alliance in 1997.
->GNP pie will be reduced by 57.1% (Currently GNP receive 20.6 billion won.)
-> If Uri splits to three, it will reduced by 50.7%
- > Uri splits to two, the subsidy will be reduced by 40.4%
It is possible since the half of subsidy will be distributed in equal ratio to each negotiation party. The National election commission has budget of 50.9 bill won to be distributed to each registered party. It will be distributed on Feb 15, May 15, Aug 15 and Nov 15 base on number of seats on distribution date.
…
What is the minimun number to be recognized as a party? Thanks for the numbers.
This guy is a Commie who consistently advocated troop cut and opposed any military hardware purchase.
This guy has no idea about what NK is planning. A stupid sob. Or, he may be in KJI’s payroll.
Sumo,
Good Question. I will do a post on it.