GNP set to hold massive protest rally next week

GNP set to hold massive protest rally next week

The opposition Grand National Party decided on Friday to launch fierce anti-government struggles, noting the nation is faced with a "total rupture" stemming from various political and corruption scandals such as the ruling party`s suspected intervention into the probes of the party lawmakers` campaign expenses for the April 14 parliamentary elections and the Hanvit Bank`s illegal loaning, saying that the general public is now restless due to the development.

GNP president Lee Hoi-Chang said at a caucus of its party lawmakers that his party will not agree to any parliamentary agenda during the current regular session, unless President Kim Dae-Jung extends a public apology and take other appropriate steps to address the situation. He warned that if the ruling camp operate the parliament unilaterally, a grave situation will take place.

The GNP, meanwhile, is planning to hold outdoor rallies to protest against the government`s administrative failures with a schedule to do it in Incheon on September 4, in Bupyeong on September 7 and in Suwon on September 7.

The opposition party also decided to produce a special edition of the party organ, exposing the recent series of ruling camp`s large-scale scandals, and distribute it to the people around September 8 and 9, ahead of their visits to their hometowns on the occasion of Chuseok (Moon Festival) on September 12. At the same time, the GNP decided to set up a special committee to probe power-related suspicions including the Hanvit loan scandal.

Song In-Soo issong@donga.com