Quotation of the day

"We need to scout talent to make up a Korean Dream Team that can help us through the nation¡¯s difficult times." Kim Deog-Ryong, Grand National Party assembly member, during the plenary session Tuesday.

"The government of the people is in the process of reforming the government-controlled financial sector inherited from the Grand National Party (GNP)" Park Byeong-Seug, spokesman of the ruling New Millenium Democratic Party, on the opposition GNP's accusation that the administration is pursuing a government-led banking sector scheme.

"Reform is supposed to be characterized by democratization and an open-door policy, but the government's reforms are carried out in an authoritarian style, dominated by the president." Sohn Hak-Kyu, GNP assembly member, during the plenary session Tuesday.

"The biggest carrot that the U.S. can offer North Korea is to accept it as a member of the international community." US ambassador Stephen W. Bosworth, commenting that the U.S. cannot give a direct aid to North Korea.