GNP, `The Separation of Pharmacy and Clinic Is a Representative Example of Leftist Policies`

The ideological fighting is heating up as the presidential chief of staff Jeon Yun-Churl officially criticized the remarks of `leftist regime` by former president Lee of the Grand National Party (GNP) and demanded Lee’s apology.

Chief of staff Jeon said in a press briefing with reporters, `Former GNP president Lee Hoe-Chang has participated in agreements between the ruling and opposition camps and political leaders meetings, and the GNP has continued consultations between party and government with the ruling party` and asked, `If the government is a leftist regime, does it then means that former president Lee and the GNP have supported the leftist regime?`

He also demanded, `As the GNP criticizes the government’s welfare policy as populism, and ideologically disoriented, is the party, when it assumes the power, would not expend on social and welfare expenses` and urged former party president Lee to `explain the true intention of his remarks and apologize to people.`

He warned also, `We will take steps for appropriate and necessary legal measures on these groundless slander and false propaganda in the future.`

Representatives of the MDP Chang Young-Dal, Lee Chang-Bok, Lee Jae-Joung, Lee Ho-Woong, Park In-Sang, and Lee Mi-Kyung stated in a joint communiqué, `We will fight against the remarks of former GNP president even if it means sacrificing our seat when necessary`

On these response, former GNP president Lee retorted, `Anthony Giddens, author of a book titled The Third Way once termed Kim Dae-Jung government as the moderate leftist regime` and added `Since president Kim described the Korean War as a failed unification war and supported one-sidedly North Korea, people have doubts on whether this government sets the freedom and rights of citizens as the national objectives based on free and democratic principle.`

Spokesperson of the GNP Nam Kyung-Pil presented the eight major `leftist polices` of the current government including the separation of pharmacies and clinics, equalization of public education, and too generous approach to North Korea, and others.

However spokesperson Ahn Young-Keun of former party vice president Lee Bu-Young who is now a runner for party presidential ticket remarked, `The time for dichotomizing conservatives and liberals, and left and right factions is over. When ideological dispute or conservatives and liberals conflict design is adapted, this will be a sure way to defeat.`

In-Soo Song issong@donga.com · Chol-Hi Lee klimt@donga.com