DJ-JP Showdown over Minister Lim

The honorary president of the United Liberal Democrats (ULD), Kim Jong-Pil, who has insisted on the voluntary resignation of the Minister of Unification Lim Dong-Won, urged President Kim Dae-Jung to make a definite decision, fixing the deadline, `before 30th`. But as both showed no response yet, the alliance between DJ and JP immediately faced the most critical moment since it was recovered in January this year.

The deadline of Minister Lim`s resignation, which was openly offered by Honorary president Kim, could be an virtual ultimatum to Cheong Wa Dae that has held fast its basic view to refuse Minister Lim`s resignation. Accordingly, the conflict surrounding Minister Lim between the New Millennium Democratic Party (NMDP) and the United Liberal Democrats is becoming more fierce.

Honorary president Kim told yesterday in the ULD representatives and staffs strategy meeting at Olympic Parktel, Seoul that ``I demand that Minister Lim step down voluntarily today so that unnecessary side effects are not triggered.``

Regarding the Cheong Wa Dae`s refusal, ``it is so regrettable whoever said that.``, said he. ``We do no longer need the irresponsible unification minister who used to say the misbehaviors of `some 8.15 delegates` as the unforeseen activities.``

On the other hand, ``it is not desirable to blame Minister Lim for the unexpected activities of some delegates.``said the presidential spokesman Park Joon-Young in a press briefing after the face-to-face meeting with President Kim. ``The demand for the resignation of Minister Lim is not an issue applying to only Minister Lim, but an attempt to debilitate the sunshine policy.``

However, Park expressed the suggestiveness, adding that ``although there has actually been the conflict surrounding Minister Lim, President Kim never refused the resignation of Minister Lim. President Kim will decide whether to replace him, considering several circumstances synthetically.``

President Kim repeatedly emphasized in a speech that presidential secretary Lee Hyup read for at the NMDP Youth Rally that, ``the sunshine policy is the only alternative for two Koreas to live together.``

Meanwhile, the president of the Grand National Party Lee Hoi-Chang also repeatedly declared in the press meeting that ``irrespective of the attitude of the ULD, we will stick to the demands for Minister Lim`s resignation.``

Yun Seung-Mo ysmo@donga.com