Defectors from the ruling Saenuri Party hold up political slogans for their new party.[Photo by Namgung Jin-woong = timeid@ajunews.com]
The ruling party of President Park Geun-hye was split Tuesday after 29 disgruntled legislators quit to form a separate conservative political group, sending a starting signal for South Korea's presidential race.
The defection has been anticipated since Park was impeached in parliament on December 9 for her role in a corruption scandal involving her arrested crony, Choi Soon-sil, with support from dozens of members of the ruling Saenuri Party.
More Saenuri members promised to leave next month when the first batch of 29 defectors launch a new party aimed at recovering the true values of conservatism. Their departure reduced the number of Saenuri seats in parliament to 99, compared to 121 controlled by the main opposition Democratic Party.
The new conservative group promised to come up with a presidential candidate amid widespread speculation that it may join hands with outgoing UN chief Ban Ki-moon who hinted at joining the race to succeed Park.
If the constitutional court confirms Park's impeachment, a presidential election should be held within two months.
In a survey conducted by Real Meter on Monday, Ban, 72, emerged as the front-running presidential candidate with an approval rating of 23.3 percent ahead of Moon Jae-in, a strong opposition candidate who earned 23.1 percent.
Ban's popularity has been growing especially in Park's traditional political base.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
