Political Upheaval Grows in MDP

Following the statement and resignation from six first-term lawmakers in the Millennium Democratic Party (MDP) yesterday, three other Assemblyman, Chun Jeong-Bae, Shin Ki-Nam and Song Yong-Kil, issued a statement Friday to call for a full scale reform of the party leadership and the government.

In the statement, three Assemblymen said, ``The scandal over the Ministry of Justice was only one example that revealed the incompetence of the government-party leadership. They also added that ``a full scale reform of the government is the only way to overcome the crisis. And the reform of the government should start with the government-party leaders, including Cheong Wa Dae secretariat, to admit their ineptitude.

The three emphasized that `` People with dubious attitudes and doubtful ability had been appointed to high-level positions in the party and the government. They held a stronghold within the government-ruling party, exerting undue influence and power, which hampered the administration’s operations.``

Chung Dong-Young, a member of the MDP, is still debating as to whether he should join the three, whereas Kim Min-Suk and Chung Sae-Kyun are reported to be precautious about the collective action.

Cheong Wa Dae’s Secretary Han Kwang Ok and the Senior Secretary for Political Affairs Namgoong Jin, Hahn Hha-Kap, and the general secretary of MDP Park Sang-Kyu urged restraint through the phone contact with the three Assemblymen.

MPD plans to hold a workshop to discuss proposals for the government-party reform. It was reported that President Kim Dae-Jung plans to have a meeting with the MDP Assemblymen in Cheong Wa Dae early next month.

With regard to the resignation of six first-term lawmakers of MDP, Cheong Wa Dae’s Senior Secretary for Political Affairs Namgoong Jin stated that the party will not accept their resignation.

Moon Chul fullmoon@donga.com