MDP Dispute Simmering Again

The ruling Millennium Democratic Party (MDP) decided to come up with a program to eradicate corruptions and to revise a related law.

The proposed program includes the establishment of an independent investigation agency with a constant monitoring system. This move by the MDP is in an attempt to win back the public support after the arrest of Hong-up, President Kim`s second son.

"We are preparing for a variety of measures to declare our stern position on corruption," said a key MDP official, "The party is going to announce a specific anti-corruption measures next week."

Included in the party`s program to eradicate corruption are the establishment of an investigation body charged with digging corruption scandals involving family members and relatives of the president, and senior government officials.

Also under consideration is a measure to reveal the wealth of family members and relatives of the president.

In addition, the MDP is considering revising its charter to exclude lawmakers and chiefs of local governments involved in corruption scandals from running on the party’s ticket in elections. The party is also mulling suggesting a revision of the National Assembly Law to open the way for the prosecution to arrest lawmakers suspected to have been involved in corruption scandals without a parliamentary consent even while the assembly is in session.

But it remains to be seen that the party will make clear its position about the dissolution of the Peace Foundation for the Asia-Pacific Region, the departure of Rep. Kim Hong-il, the President Kim`s first son and Rep. Kim Bang-lim`s involvement in the so-called "Jin Seung-hyun gate".

The MDP is expected to discuss the matters at a meeting on Jun. 24, but the `Donggyo-dong` faction, close confidants of President Kim has opposed the departure of Rep. Kim. Party chairman Han expressed his opposition to the idea as well, saying, "Such an approach cannot help work out the solution."

While Roh wants the party to take bald reform measures, the party leadership centering around Han is showing a passive attitude.

Mindful of such an atmosphere in the party, Roh and his supporters say that the proposed program to root out corruption is different from alienating the party from President Kim. An aide to Roh said, "Differentiation means taking an intentional offensive for political purpose. Thus it is a different matter from eradicating corruption."

Jeong-Hun Kim jnghn@donga.com