Saenuri Chairman Lee Jung-hyun delivers a speech as one of the heads of parliamentary negotiating bodies on Sept. 5. (Photo: Saenuri Party)

Chairman Lee Jung-hyun of the Saenuri Party proposed a political alliance between the ruling party and Honam (Jeolla provinces), a bastion of former president Kim Dae-jung. 

He also offered an apology to former presidents Kim and Roh Moo-hyun, which has become a kind of taboo among the party. 

The proposal will most likely take a look into speculation on an alliance between Yeongnam (Gyongsang provinces) and Honam that is circulating in a run-up to the presidential election slated for next year.

Saenuri Chairman Lee made the remarks while delivering a speech as one of the heads of parliamentary negotiating bodies on Sept. 5. “Honam does not exclusively belong to any given political party, i.e. liberals, militants and radicals, and I feel confident that the Saenuri Party can forge an alliance or a coalition with Honam,” he said. 

“There is no reason Honam stay on the margins of political circles as they have no powerful presidential contenders, and Honam should be part of mainstream politics,” he added. 

Chairman Lee’s remarks may be construed as an attempt by the ruling party’s mainstay members to forge an alliance with Honam to fight back against a so-called “3rd party scenario” that could emerge among non-mainstream members of the ruling party and some opposition forces. 

Chairman Lee offered an apology over discrimination against Honam, made by former governments ruled by the Saenuri Party. Lee said he made an apology as Saenuri Party chairman since the Saenuri Party and previous conservative governments intentionally or unwillingly discriminated against Honam provinces and hurt the pride of Honam people. 

He also apologized for the fact that the party failed to proactively cooperate with the former president Kim Dae-jung government and the parliament’s approval of impeaching former president Roh, which was overturned by the Supreme Court. Chairman Lee paid a courtesy call to the former first lady Lee Hee-ho, the wife of former president Kim, on Sept. 6. An alliance between the Saenuri Party and Honam has become a much-discussed topic in political circles. 

The “3rd party scenario calls” for Yeongnam (Gyeongsang provinces), a bastion of current President Park Geun-hye, and Honam to join forces in a run-up-to the upcoming presidential election. 

Under the scenario, former Saenuri Party chairman Kim Moo-sung and non-mainstream party members would forge an alliance with interim chief Park Ji-won of the People’s Party, a minority opposition party. 

Chairman Lee’s proposal has nothing to do with the 3rd Party scenario, however. Chairman Lee made it clear that he had no interest in such a play of words as the 3rd party scenario. 

He added that Honam forces should join forces with the Saenuri Party to form the mainstream of the next government. 

Chairman Lee said his party would implement such policies as budgetary support and manpower recruiting to woo Honam people’s hearts and minds against the opposition side’s strategy to help Honam hold a hegemony in politics.

Chairman Lee’s proposal apparently targets pro-President Park’s mainstream faction’s alliance with Honam forces, some pundits said. 

In reality, President Park scouted former influential Honam big wigs, including former reps. Han Hwa-gap, Han Kwang-ok, and Kim Kyung-jae for the cause of promoting national reconciliation during the last presidential campaign. 

Some non-mainstream faction members devalued Chairman Lee’s proposal, saying it is out of the question.