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| Hong Joon-pyo |
The Supreme Court will deliver its verdict on a bribery case involving main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) Chairman Hong Joon-pyo, Friday.
Hong has been on trial for allegedly taking 100 million won ($92,000) from a late businessman and politician Sung Wan-jong. The allegation has been the conservative leader's sticking point.
In the first hearing last year, Hong, then South Gyeongsang Province governor was found guilty and sentenced to 18 months in prison. However, the appeals court overturned the decision, which paved his way for the presidential election in May. There, he gained 24.03 percent of votes and handily clinched the LKP leadership.
The final ruling will be an inflection point for Hong, who is getting into his stride to expel those who are associated with ex-President Park Geun-hye. If he is acquitted, Hong's moves are likely to gain momentum in consolidating his followers in the LKP, in place of pro-Park faction.
On Sunday, the LKP conducted a personnel reshuffle in an apparent bid to strengthen Hong's leadership, which drew enormous flak from pro-Park politicians. The role of new floor leader Kim Sung-tae, a pro-Hong figure, could be a springboard for Hong.
If the Supreme Court gives Hong the guilty verdict, Hong's political ambition is likely to end in failure. In this case, the LKP, which is eyeing its revival under Hong's leadership out of ex-President's shade, will face more political turmoil amid the absence of leadership.
According to recent polls, the LKP's popularity rate hovers below 20 percent, despite is harsh anti-Moon drives on the government's diplomacy and national security policies.
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