National Convention of GNP on May 9th

`Choice 2002 Preparation Committee (CPC)` which is an organization to prepare for the national convention of Grand National Party, decided at general meeting on the 22nd to elect the candidate for president and party leadership simultaneously through the national convention of GNP on May 9th.

The New Millennium Democratic Party had decided in early March to complete the selection of the presidential candidates through local conventions by cities and provinces on April 20th. Hence, a full-scale presidential race of the presidential candidates from the ruling and opposition parties is expected to begin in mid May.

The campaign period has been extended by 2 months when compared to that of the 1997 presidential election when the NMPD decided the candidate in May, and GNP in July. Deputy secretary general of GNP Kim Moon-Soo, who is the secretary of CPC, said after the meeting, "CPC members unanimously agreed to hold national convention in May, as party constitution and regulations stipulate that the term of party leaderships ends on May 31st, and presidential candidate should be elected by June 22nd."

And he said, "The decision is made on the basis that provincial elections are held on June 13th. Therefore, if provincial elections should be moved up, the date of the national convention will be pushed up as well."

He added, "The scale of the electoral college has not been decided yet. We have decided on the introducing a competition system with public participation, but are still discussing details. And we are positively examining the measure to hold the convention successively by regions."

In-SooSong issong@donga.com