[The Police File]The 55 Grand National Party Members Who Targeted the President's Elder Brother

2008 General Election: Statement by the Grand National Party's Young Faction
Call for Deputy Speaker Lee Sang-deuk to Step Down
Contrast with People Power Party Freshmen's Criticism of Na Kyung-won

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min]

Editor's Note‘Politics, That Day...’ is a series planning corner that looks back on Korean politics through the ‘recollection of memories’ related to notable scenes, events, and figures.

"We declare that we will not run in the 18th general election and must refrain from any involvement in state affairs in the future."

On March 23, 2008, 55 candidates of the Grand National Party held a press conference at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, and issued a statement. They delivered a direct blow to Lee Sang-deuk, the National Assembly Deputy Speaker and elder brother of President Lee Myung-bak. The statement, led by the Grand National Party’s young faction politicians such as Gong Seong-jin and Cha Myung-jin, stirred up turmoil in the general election landscape.

This incident occurred just over two weeks before the 18th general election. The collective action of the ruling party’s young faction urging the elder brother of the incumbent president (Lee Myung-bak) to step back from politics included participation from pro-Lee Myung-bak (Pro-Lee) faction lawmakers as well.

The 18th general election in April 2008 was considered a landslide victory for the Grand National Party. It was held two months after President Lee Myung-bak’s inauguration. The Grand National Party expected not only to secure a majority of seats but also to exceed two-thirds of the total seats.

Former National Assembly Deputy Speaker Sang-deuk Lee / Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

The problem was internal strife over the Grand National Party’s candidate nominations. The ‘elder brother nomination’ controversy, which raised concerns about Lee Sang-deuk’s election interference, led the Grand National Party to split into factions. Facing the risk of mutual destruction, 55 Grand National Party candidates united their strength. Centered on the young faction, they did not hesitate to sharply criticize the Blue House and the ruling party leadership.

At the time, some viewed the statement by the 55 Grand National Party members as a power struggle within the pro-Lee faction. The interpretation was that the political contest between Deputy Speaker Lee Sang-deuk and Assemblyman Lee Jae-oh was the essence of the situation.

Although some politicians participating in the statement were classified as part of the Lee Jae-oh faction, there was considerable opposition to the interpretation that framed the issue as a ‘Lee Sang-deuk vs. Lee Jae-oh’ confrontation. The counterargument was that if the ‘elder brother nomination’ controversy was not checked, it would not only cause difficulties in the 18th general election but also lead to significant challenges in the Lee Myung-bak administration’s governance, which motivated their actions out of sincere concern.

"If things continue as they are, the goal of securing a majority of seats will be shattered, and public sentiment against the Lee Myung-bak administration will reach an irreversible state."

On December 31, 2019, icicles formed along the Han River near the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

The statement by the 55 young faction members of the Grand National Party contained candid advice directed at the Blue House. Criticizing the Blue House and urging the president’s elder brother to retire ahead of the general election was a politically courageous act.

This is why the young faction’s statement from 15 years ago is etched in political history. Although various political interpretations emerged around the statement at the time, most evaluations were positive from the perspective of party democracy. It was recognized as a sign symbolizing the ruling party’s self-purification function and dynamism.

Recent criticism of the statement by first-term lawmakers of the People Power Party directed at former lawmaker Na Kyung-won is related to this context.

One of the prominent conservative panelists, lawyer Jeon Won-chek, appeared on KBS’s ‘Yeouido Sasageon-geon’ on the 25th and said, “(The first-term lawmakers) depicted Na Kyung-won as a politician who should be ousted in their statement, didn’t they? I was quite surprised to see that.”

Lawyer Jeon questioned, “Is this the role that first-term lawmakers, who should work hard for our party’s democracy, should be playing?”

There is criticism that first-term lawmakers showed an attitude of riding on power rather than leading reform. This includes a message urging a long-term perspective on politics.

Former People Power Party lawmaker Na Kyung-won holds a press conference on the 25th at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, announcing she will not run for party leader. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

What happened after the Grand National Party’s 55-member statement on March 23, 2008? The president’s elder brother did not accept the call to not run. Deputy Speaker Lee Sang-deuk ran as the Grand National Party candidate in Nam-gu, Pohang City, and Ulleung County, winning with 69.6% of the vote.

Although it seemed that the political path was reopened for politician Lee Sang-deuk, the reality was different. Deputy Speaker Lee Sang-deuk did not appear in public office elections after the 2008 general election.

The Grand National Party’s nomination turmoil eventually cast a shadow over the election. The Grand National Party secured 153 seats in the 18th general election, achieving a majority. However, the party’s internal atmosphere turned cold. There was a wave of self-reflection that the majority was barely achieved.

The 18th general election, which was expected to be a landslide victory, fell short of expectations. It was especially painful to lose seats in the Yeongnam region, including Busan and Daegu.

The Grand National Party leadership responded to the election results at the Central Election Committee’s disbandment ceremony the day after the election.

"We will humbly accept the results and do our best for the development of the Republic of Korea with a humble attitude." "The disappointment caused to the public during the nomination process was reflected in the votes." "We must be humble, and even more humble."