Controversies on Reorganization of Political Structure Mushrooming

Controversies on the reorganization of the political system are stirring the political circle as the Grand National Party raises suspicions concerning the DJP meeting, the return of Park Ji-Won, the special aide of the President for policy making, and the moves for merging the New Millennium Democratic Party, the United Liberal Democrats, and the People`s Democratic Party.

While Cheong Wa Dae flatly refuted that these measures were acts of political aggression to distort the President`s intention to concentrate on the national administration, the largest group in the NMDP, the Moderate Reformist Forum, made an official proposition to Supreme Council member Rhee In-Jae to join the `New Coalition of the Three Parties` and continued to rally the supporting groups.

Rep. Song Seok-Cheon (NMDP) argued in the party`s executive meeting that "To win the Presidential election, we must have more support groups by embracing a third sect such as the ULD by February." Rep. Lee Chi-Ho also requested that chairperson Han Kwang-Ok take initiative in holding open discussions for the parliamentary government system in the party.

However, Rep. Lee Hae-Chan opposed the discussion for the party merger, saying "It would be contradictory to the party`s reformation measures and its priorities on the timetable such as Electoral College by People`s Participation."

Nam Kyung-Pil, spokesperson of the GNP, defined the move to reorganize the political structure as `a political machination for the extension of power` and anticipated that President Kim`s administrative work will proceed with the reorganization of the political structure and the return visit of the North Korea`s Defense Commission Chairperson Kim Jong-Il.

He added that "It should be noted that the Moderate Reformist Forum in the NMDP is in fact a vanguard of President Kim. Presidential aide Park Ji-Won will lead the reorganization of the political system. The DJP meeting on the 29th is highly suspected as an indication of political system reorganizing."

However, Presidential aide Park declared at the press conference that "The President repeatedly promised to stay away from politics and not to control any move for the reorganization of the political structure when he resigned from the party`s presidency. I will assist the President to keep his promise."

Mr. Park also emphasized that "Looking back at the experience of the past Presidential elections, the former Presidents who intervene in the Presidential election always failed to maintain political power. President Kim will not follow their steps but will rather concentrate on national administration."

chang@donga.com