Kim Joong-Kwon named MDP chairman

President Kim Dae-Jung appointed Kim Joong-Kwon, a member of the ruling Millennium Democratic Party(MDP)'s supreme council, as the new party chairman Tuesday, replacing Suh Young-Hoon.

President Kim, concurrently heading MDP, also named Kim Won-Kee, party advisor, and Rep. Lee Hae-Chan, ex-chairman of the party policy planning committee, as new councilors, succeeding outgoing chairmen Suh and Kwon Roh-Kap, who resigned.

The MDP plans to hold a meeting of the party executive committee on Wednesday to endorse their appointments. There is concern that a flare up may occur over the appointment of Kim Joong-Kwon as party chairman, as some younger lawmakers as well as a few senior party members are opposed to his nomination.

With the resignations of four key party post holders en masse on Tuesday, Kim is expected to appoint their successors, including a secretary general and chief policymaker, around Friday, after going through the proper procedures at the party supreme council around Thursday.

Hopefuls for the post of party secretary general are Reps. Lim Chae-Jung, Moon Hee-Sang, Kim Won-Kil and Kim Duk-Kyu. Those in the running for chief policymaker are Reps. Hong Jae-Hyong, Kang Hyon-Wook, and Kang Bong-Kyun, former finance-economy minister.

A new party floor leader will be elected at a general meeting of the party lawmakers, in accordance with the party charter, after the current special National Assembly session closes in late December.

Yoon Young-Chan yyc11@donga.com