`Cheong Wa Dae Exercises Caution on the Issue of Secretary Lim`s Dismissal`

It was reported on September 2 that Cheong Wa Dae decided on four principles of action on the vote for Secretary of the Ministry of Unification Lim Dong Won`s dismissal, Squarely address the vote, take small supplementary measures in reorganizing party relations if the proposal passes, leave the four defector representatives in the ULD to decide their own stances, and not to be the first to announce the breakdown of the alliance with ULD.

Cheong Wa Dae`s plan for action appears to be based on the premise that the proposal is likely to pass in the National Assembly and this will shake the foundations of the DJP alliance between President Kim Dae Jung and ULD Honorary Chairman Kim Jong Pil.

``Whether the dismisal of Secretary Lim passes or not, President Kim`s position is that the Sunshine policy must proceed without change. The candidates who will replace Mr. Lim will be those who will pursue the same course of action as President Kim.`` said a central member of the majority power on the issue.

Possible candidates who will symbolize the continuation of the Sunshine policy after Secretary Lim`s dismissal include Chief Presidential Secretary Han Kwang Ok and Park Ji Won, Presidential Director General of Legislation Planning. Also, considerations are underway for transferring Secretary Lim to Cheong Wa Dae special assistance post in order to continue his obligations for North Korea relations.

However, Cheong Wa Dae is said to stick to its decision not to announce breaking off the alliance first and refrain from `resolving` the issue of Cabinet members from the ULD including Prime Minister Lee Han Dong, leaving it up to the ULD Party.

A central member of the majority party said, ``There may be criticisms about Prime Minister Lee`s position after the dismissal decision, but President Kim understands the Prime Minister`s situation. The Secretary Lim issue probably will not lead to reshuffling the entire party structure.``

On the issue of Representative Bae Ki Sun and the other four Democratic Party defectors to the ULD, he said ``As their political careers depend on this issue, it is hard to say anything definite about it.``

Yun Seung-Mo ysmo@donga.com