Opposition Camp Will Launch `President Resignation Campaign

The Grand National Party (GNP) disclosed that it would launch a campaign for the resignation of the president both in parliament and street if when the demands for the appointment of special counselors to investigate three sons of the president and for the establishment of a neutral cabinet are not met by President Kim Dae-Jung.

GNP floor leader Lee Jae-Oh said on May 7 in a party officials meeting, `We will urge the excavation of the truth through street demonstrations and others till May 13, and then we will launch a street signing campaign demanding the resignation of the president when President Kim does not show any willingness to expose the truth.` Additionally, GNP spokesperson Nam Kyung-Pil urged, ` The current regime should disclose how much political fund it received from the two conglomerates, Daewoo and Hyundai, and what kinds of preferential treatments were endowed upon them,` in a comment issued in relation to the claims of CEO of Future City Environment Choi Kyu-Sun who said, `President Kim was helped by Daewoo and Hyundai during the late December 1997 when he was a president-elected.

Then the spokesperson demanded the summoning and probe of First Lady Lee Hee-Ho and Hong-Gul in relation to the allegation that the first lady mediated a meeting between Hong-Gul and POSCO chairman Yoo Sang-Boo.

GNP will organize the protests against the power circles irregularities during the metropolitan party chapter victory resolution conventions in Taegu and Busan on May 8, Seoul on May 9, and Daejeon and Incheon on May 12.

Deputy spokesperson of the Blue House Kim Seong-Jin remarked on this political development, `We are very much sorry that the majority party in the parliament, GNP, which should have participated in national development and economic recovery, is engaged in an endless political offensive.`

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