Quotations of the day

"Just as those going back to the North should go, we hope that those who belong here return as soon as possible." Families of South Koreans abducted by North Korea today, asking for the return of their kidnapped relatives in a petition to President Kim Dae-Jung

"Being the minister of finance and economy is a stressful job." Lee Kyu-Sung, Kang Bong-Gyun and Lee Hun-Jai, former finance-economy ministers, cautioning current Finance and Economy Minister Jin Nyum Wednesday to take care of his health.

"Although the comments may be intended only for the elections, the candidates should have been able to distinguish between allies and enemies." Chung Woo-Taik, chairman of the United Liberal Democrats' (ULD) policy committee Thursday, on the Grand National Party (GNP)'s supreme council candidates calling for the severance of ties with the ULD in their campaigning.

"The GNP will get the short end of the stick unless it selects those who can actually be an asset to the party based on their abilities instead of rounding up people from different regions." Park Sang-Cheon, GNP supreme council candidate, criticizing the teaming up of candidates from the Yeongnam and Honam regions in a joint speech meeting at Jeju-do on August 24.