President, “Will Not Intervene in the Formation of Political Party“

President Kim Dae-Jung declared at the New Year`s Day Greetings with president of the National Assembly Lee Man-Sup, Chief Justice Choi Jong-Young, Prime Minister Lee Han-Dong and other leaders, "I promise that as a member of the party I wish the party to do everything well but I will not intervene in the party`s affairs including the floating rumor about the formation of a new party."

President Kim emphasized that "I will concentrate all my efforts on the economic problems, the World Cup, and the elections to solidify the foundation for the second launching of the next government without any obstacle. The two elections this year should be the most fair and clear elections in our history. The fair election could be accomplished by policy competition, avoiding illegal manipulation, slanders, and aggravation of regionalism."

President Kim reiterated, "If politics does not get better, the other fields could get better."

ysmo@donga.com