Senior Saenuri lawmaker urges members to end quarrel on re-accepting seceders

SEOUL, June 17 (Yonhap) -- Rep. Suh Chung-won, an eight-term lawmaker from the ruling Saenuri Party, said Friday that party members should accept the latest decision made by the interim leadership to reinstate the seven independent lawmakers who quit the party earlier this year.

The call comes amid rising conflict among different factions that had been cited as one reason for the party's defeat in the April 13 polls.

Saenuri has been divided between the so-called pro-Park Geun-hye factions and non-followers for some time, although in recent weeks there have been signs of mending.

"It is regrettable that the party leadership failed to listen to the views of all members before taking such a step, but the decision made by the emergency planning committee must be respected," said Chung, who is considered to be the top elder of the party. The move to accept the lawmakers was reached after senior party officials voted on the issue.

"I hope the decision will play a part in bringing about cooperation and harmony among party members," the lawmaker, who is classified as being a leading member of the pro-Park faction, added.

Despite the row, the decision will bring the total number of Saenuri lawmakers to 129 and make it the single largest party in the 300-seat National Assembly.

The independent lawmakers who will be allowed back are Kang Ghil-boo, Yoo Seong-min, Joo Ho-young, Ahn Sang-soo, Yoon Sang-hyun, Chang Je-won and Lee Chul-Gyu. Of these, only Yoon is considered to fully support the president, while others like Yoo have been at odds with Park.

colin@yna.co.kr
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