Ruling party refutes rumors of Nobel Peace Prize lobbying

As Rep. Yoo Heung-Soo of the opposition Grand National Party raised charges of the government conducting lobbying activity for the Nobel Peace Prize, the ruling Millennium Democratic Party, which had itself refrained from mentioning President Kim's chances of winning the award, hesitantly began to talk.

MDP chairman Suh Young-Hoon indirectly rebutted the lobbying rumor Wednesday by saying that he was a chairman of the steering committee proposing that Kim Soon-Kwon, known as "Dr. Corn," be awarded the Nobel Prize, and found that lobbying for the Nobel Peace Prize was impossible.

The ruling party's representatives also flatly dismissed the lobbying allegations, saying "we know nothing about it." A key official of Chong Wa Dae said that he did not even look into who recommended President Kim for the prize this year.

Amid this backdrop, an MDP executive explained that if the controversy grows more heated, President Kim's failure in winning the prize could put him in an awkward position and even if he actually wins the prize, the meaning will be reduced.