The Ruling Party to Vote for the Date of National Convention on 7th

Han Kwang-Ok, chairman of the New Millennium Democratic Party (NMDP), announced, "it is time to draw a conclusion after spending 2 months collecting opinions. I will complete the matter in the Central Party Affairs Committee on the 7th." In-house conflicts on the timing of selecting the presidential candidate failed to resolve in the CPAC on the 4th.

NMDP spokesperson Lee Nak-yon implied that they may try to force the vote on the 7th saying, "There will be negotiations among in-house factions, which means the issue shall be settled even at the cost of selecting the second best option if not by unanimous agreement."

Rhee In-Je, standing advisor of NMDP and his supporters introduced a compromise to select a presidential candidate and party leadership in April, and urged forcing a vote in the CPAC.

On the other hand, standing advisor Hahn Hwa-Kap and party reformists reaffirmed their opinion to select the party leadership first through the national convention in February and the presidential candidate to be after the local election, and said, "representatives of each faction should continue compromising."

Meanwhile, Cho Se-Hyung the chairperson of the special committee for party promotion and reformation proposed an amendment, which outlines the following points: △ permit double candidacy for presidential candidate and party leadership △ introduce internet ballot by 5 percent △ revive the runoff election △ give party president the power to recommend party officials, to appoint nominative representatives, and to propose non-confidence vote on the chairperson of policy planning committee and floor leaders.

Yong-Gwan Jung yongari@donga.com