Anticipated Tectonic Earthquake in Political Circle

President Kim Dae-Jung, who will leave his office in 15 months, expressed his intention to resign from the presidency of the New Millennium Democratic Party yesterday, anticipating a diastrophism over the national politics.

The resignation of President Kim is possibly stimulating the reorganization of the political structure and the resettlement of the ruling and opposition relationship as well as the great change in the ruling party`s system and the competitive relations for the party`s authority and the Presidential candidacy. As President Kim withdrew from the political activities, request for the `3 Kim`s Withdrawal` is expected to be magnified.

President Kim announced it through chairperson Han Kwang-Ok in the party`s executive committee that ``I will resign from the party`s presidency and serve the party as one member of the party.``

President Kim stated that he will resign from the party`s presidency since he is responsible for the alleviation of the party`s credibility by the defeat of 10.25 re-election and by-election and the Supreme Council members already expressed their resignation. He will concentrate on the economic recovery and the intense international relationship after the terror in the U.S.

President Kim added, ``I will concentrate on the successful accomplishment of the national events such as World Cup, Asian Athletic Competition in Pusan, local and Presidential elections.``

President Kim accepted the wholesale resignation of the Supreme Council members and the party`s staffs and appointed chairperson Han as acting president of the party, asking the party to succeed in placing the foundation for regaining of political power, by establishing an emergency organization to discuss the political time table such as the national convention. However, the executives of the party decided to request for the annulment of the President`s decision, after a long discussion.

However, a source from Cheong Wa Dae assured, ``the President will not change his decision.``

Chairperson Han and chief secretary to the party`s president Shim Jae-Kown visited Cheong Wa Dae right after the executive meeting to deliver the resolution of the party, requesting for the annulment of the President`s decision to resign. NMDP will hold a party`s executive meeting today to reiterate the urge for the cancellation of the President`s decision.

chang@donga.com