Posts tagged ‘GNP’
On 30 August 2011, a minor cabinet reshuffle replaced Unification Minister Hyun In-Taek with former Chief-of-Staff and Ambassador to China, Yu Woo-Ik. Domestic media has reported this as signalling a change in North Korea policy. Read more
On Monday 4 July 2011, the Grand National Party (GNP) elected former prosecutor Hong Joon-pyo, as its new chairman. Hong declared reform to be a key priority, as the conservative ruling party struggles to regain popular confidence ahead of next year’s two major polls. Hong succeeds Ahn Sang-soo, who stepped down in May 2011, to take responsibility for the party’s defeat in the April by-elections. Hong received 41,166 votes, followed by Yoo Seung-min, a close aide to Park Geun-hye, who received 32,157 votes. The vote establishes a cleaerer path towards reform within the GNP.
Statistics Korea has reported that farming household income increased 4.2 percent in 2009-10 with higher prices of vegetables and fruits boosting profits. The average farm household income during the period was USD29,550. Read more
On 17 March 2011, the National Police Agency apprehended a 28-year-old office worker, identified by his family name Byun, for the distribution of false information that could cause public anxiety. It is alleged that Byun was the primary source of a rumour that radioactive material from Fukushima, Japan, would reach Korea, which after spreading rapidly via internet and social network services, resulted in a 2.4 percent fall in the KOSPI. Read more
During 8-10 March 2011, a three-day meeting to discuss revisions to the constitution was attended by 125 National Assembly representatives of the Grand National Party (GNP).
The key agenda item was revision of the constitution to change the presidential term of office from the current single five-year term to a four-year term with one chance for re-election. Constitutional revision to allow for two-term presidency has been on the national political agenda for a considerable period of time.
Supporters contend that a two-term presidency will increase the willingness of the president to negotiate with his or her opponents and encourage a first-term presidential administration to better reflect the will of the people. However, there is little chance of constitutional revision gaining wider public support.
Constitutional revision is perceived as a non-critical issue and cannot compete for public attention with issues that currently have a more direct effect on the national population, such as food and energy price rises, inflation, and national security. Further, the public holds a dim view of political infighting over what is perceived as a non-critical issue. The issue is highly contested within the ruling GNP; with several notable pro-Park Geun-Hye faction stalwarts not attending the 8-10 March meeting; and is currently not supported by the opposition parties.
