The factional struggle that threatens the very viability of the major opposition party, the New Politics Alliance for Democracy, has now struck the ruling Saenuri Party.

Factionalism is a national ailment in Korea where the notion of “us against them” holds sway in numerous aspects of society. Thus, it is that we have the “pro-Roh” faction, named after the late President Roh Moo-hyun, and the “non-Roh” faction of the NPAD constantly at odds, jostling for power between each other. Over at the Saenuri Party, the “pro-Park” faction, named after President Park Geun-hye, and the “non-Park” faction engage in perpetual power struggle, sometimes under the water and sometimes very openly.

The latest squabble between the two factions of Saenuri Party involve the controversial National Assembly law revision, brokered by Saenuri floor leader Yoo Seung-min as part of the deal with the opposition to pass the much-needed public service pension reform bill. Although the Blue House had pushed for the passage of the public service pension reform bill, it expressed great displeasure with the National Assembly law revision, which it claims to be unconstitutional, and sent a clear message to the National Assembly that Park would exercise presidential veto power.

The “pro-Park” faction of the Saenuri Party rallied around the Blue House, demanding Yoo’s resignation while Saenuri Party Chairman Kim Moo-sung and the leader of the “pro-Park” faction engaged in sharp exchange of words over how to resolve the dispute over the National Assembly law revision.

The Blue House, which had declared that it would discontinue the consultative meetings with the Saenuri Party, refused the ruling party’s official request earlier this week for a meeting to discuss the spread of MERS. While the Blue House explained that such a meeting would not help in handling the MERS spread, pointing out all efforts must focus on containing the outbreak, its refusal to meet stems from Park’ anger with the Saenuri leadership.

The perpetual factional strife within parties is a negative force in Korean politics. With the country struggling to deal with the MERS outbreak, political parties and the Blue House must put aside their differences to put up a united fight. This is no time for factional squabbles or a Blue House rift with the National Assembly.