Rhee, `Roh Argued For Laborers` World,` Roh Refuted, `It Was a Symbolic Speech`

Rhee In-Je and Roh Moo-Hyun waged severe ideological debates at their joint TV debates in the North Cholla area on 28th. Mr. Rhee argued, “How could I come along with Mr. Roh, who is an extreme leftist?,” anticipating that he would not join in the reformation of a political tectonics.

Mr. Rhee harshly attacked Mr. Roh, criticizing that “Mr. Roh argued for `the world governed by the laborers` and `redistribution of stocks owned by the chaebol owners to laborers after the government buys them all during the parliamentary inspection of the administration in 1988 and the Hyundai Heavy Industry strikes in 1989. Isn`t it communism that rejects the market economy?”

In response, Mr. Roh refuted that “it was a symbolic speech in the period that laborers were under serious suppression. I am the most faithful member of the party that has a part`s platform based on moderate reformation and the reformative people`s party.”

With regard to his idea for the reformation of the political tectonics, “I have argued for the political structure based on policy rather than regions for a long time. And I presented such a political vision to the public. However I will not push for the political reformation if Mr. Rhee would not make this an issue.” Meanwhile, Mr. Chung Dong-Young urged the two runners to calm down, saying “Let`s put the conspiracy theory aside. And the ideological aggression is out of date. We should keep moving on with this People`s Electoral College for a political revolution.”

Yong-Gwan Jung yongari@donga.com · Hyung-Kwon Pu bookum90@donga.com