Han Hwa-Kap Willing, `to Give Up Vested Interest of MDP

Chairman of the Millennium Democratic Party (MDP) Han Hwa-Kap said, in relation to the political reformation view of the party presidential candidate Roh Moo-Hyun, `I favor the political reformation movement of candidate Roh, and I am willing to give up all the vested interest to achieve it,` in a victory resolution meeting for Seoul regional election held in the Representatives` Hall of the parliamentary on May 10

Chairman Han remarked, `The new era`s political reformation means getting together of politicians who cherish historic mission for people in the process of political development and believe in own political values, not a mere movement of people as it was the case in the past.`

When Han was asked whether he was ready to discard the chairmanship, he said, `I will not stick to a personal interest if the interest of people is secured,` which indicated that all-out reshuffling including the dissolution of MDP and creation of a new party are being considered if it is necessary.

Han responded to the question of reporters whether MDP would merge with the United Liberal Democrats (ULD), `It is not a merge, but a cooperation, and it means that we will do our best to have victories in the elections.`

In other hand, candidate Roh remarked, as the public commonly calls his view on political reformation `great alliance of new democrats`, `The phrase of the great alliance of new democrats is a past-oriented expression, but I have been saying the political reformation should be based mainly on policy schemes.`

He explained, `The public opinion shows the great alliance of new democrats is discredited since it reminds an reemergence of past political forces,` and added, `What I mean is to integrate the current divided political structures and make the political structures responsible to the people.`

In other hand, Candidate Roh`s press secretary Yoo Jong-Pil criticized, `President Kim Dae-Jung mismanaged sons` affairs and also the secretaries, and he misused a friend of his son as if the friend is a manager of his son.`

Additionally, MDP chairman Han unexpectedly visited the house of Rep. Rhee In-Je in Jagok-Dong, Kangnam-Gu, Seoul in the morning of the day and agreed with Rep. Rhee to cooperate with ULD to win the local elections. Rep. Rhee`s press secretary Kim Yoon-Soo said, `When ULD candidates come up in the local elections by joint nominations of ULD and MDP, we may help.`

Young-Chan Yoon yyc11@donga.com