[Editorial] MDP Distancing from DJ

Roh Moo-hyun, the presidential candidate of the Millennium Democratic Party, is setting in motion in earnest to alienate himself from President Kim Dae-jung.

He has been hesitant to walk away from DJ, but this time he seems to be committed.

Literally, the `alienation from DJ` means breaking away from the influence of DJ. But it is questionable that the alienation can be realized under the current political circumstances.

Take Rep. Kim Hong-il`s departure from MDP and the dissolution of the Peace Foundation for the Asia-Pacific Region. Those two issues are discussed now as specific measures to distance from DJ. But just because Rep. Kim leaves the party, and DJ`s private think tank is dissolved does not mean the alienation from DJ. Just because Roh criticizes DJ does not distance the public from DJ. Just because the MDP says so does not make the public believe that DJ would no longer engage the party affairs, and that the party and DJ would break ties.

By logic, Roh and the MDP already alienated themselves from DJ when president Kim resigned his MDP membership and stopped his political activity.

But substance matters. The public has regarded DJ and the MDP as one entity and sternly judged their collusion in the local elections. Underlying the MDP`s move to alienate itself from DJ is MDP`s perception that DJ is the main reason behind the party`s election rout. Adding fuel is a sense of crisis that if the party fails to walk away from DJ, it would have to see the same frustrating result in the Aug. 8 by- and reelections and the presidential election.

Of course corruption involving influential politicians including the president`s sons should be rooted out. Also required is an institutional program designed to prevent such corruption. But before that, Roh and the MDP should reflect on their conducts.

Even though the MDP has possessed no power under the influence of an `imperial president`, the party should not clamor for the alienation from DJ, blaming him for everything. So far the party has scrambled to speak for DJ and scale down corruption scandals involving his sons and aides. This way the MDP could not win the public confidence. Rather than clamoring for the alienation from DJ, It has to take the responsibility and respect and follow the will of the public.