NMDP-ULD Ease Feud over Unification Minister Im Dong-Won

As Kim Jong-Pil, the honorary president of the United Liberal Democrats, returns from his visit to Japan yesterday, Chong Wa Dae and ULD set for the discussion on the dismissal proposition for the Minister Im Dong-Won.

Honorary president Kim Jong-Pil reiterated at the press conference in the Incheon International Airport, ``As I repeatedly promised, I will never break the coalition.`` According to the accompanies of the Kim`s visit to Japan, honorary president Kim revealed his idea that ``Minister Im would rather be dismissed at the next reshuffle of the cabinet than to make him withdraw at this time.``

Consequently, Chong Wa Dae hopes to hold a DJP meeting before Aug 31 when the regular session of the National Assembly is scheduled to open to deal with the dismissal proposition for the Unification Minister.

An official of Chong Wa Dae said, ``the President and honorary president Kim Jong-Pil will meet at any time. The time table is not made but they will meet with each other in an appropriate time.``

President Kim is to send Chief Secretary to the President Han Kwang-Ok to honorary president Kim Jong-Pil to explain the controversies about the South delegation to the Pyongyang Festivities and to deliver the position of Chong Wa Dae that Minister Im must stay at his position to continue the engagement policies of the government.

However, Lee Wan-Gu, the floor leader of ULD, still stood firm on his hard line, saying ``ULD should not damage its own identity for the sake of the coalition. NMDP has to follow after us on this matter.``

Rep. Byun Wung-Jeon, the spokesperson of ULD, also said, ``Since the congresspersons and the executive member of the party plan to hold a study meeting on Aug 30, the DJP meeting may not be held before Aug 30.``

Moon Chul fullmoon@donga.com