MDP Out to Bring Chung to Its Fold

The leadership of the Millennium Democratic Party (MDP) decided to launch a negotiation to merge the MDP and a new party envisioned by independent lawmaker Chung Mong-jun as its plan to create a new `mega` party led by the MDP has virtually ended up in smoke.

Regarding the planned negotiation with Rep. Chung on the creation of a merged party, Park Sang-cheon, a supreme councilor of the MDP, who has worked to bring in outside figures said on the 19th that there will be tangible steps to be taken within this week.

He said in a radio program, "I have contacted a number of political figures including Rep. Chung. In particular, the response from Rep. Chung was encouraging."

He is reported to meet with Rep. Chung anytime soon to size him up on whether or not he would participate in the proposed new party.

But Rep. Chung is skeptical about the idea to hold primaries after the establishment of a new party demanded by MDP presidential candidate Roh Moo-hyun, and reported to be more interested in creating his own party, casting a pall over the prospect for the negotiation.

Rep Chung reserved expression on Park`s remarks, saying, "Rep Park seems to have much in mind, but I decided nothing and I will never give up what I am envisioning"

Rep Chung reiterated that he would meet with influential politicians pushing ahead with the creation of a new party and would bring out tangible results about the new party issue before Chuseok, the Korean Thanksgiving Day.

Meanwhile, Park Geun-hye, chairman of the Korean Coalition for the Future said the same day, "If the proposed new party will take the same path as existing parties have, there is no need for me to join in. It is important to figure out what the principles of Chung`s new party will be."

Young-Chan Yoon Sung-Won Park yyc11@donga.com swpark@donga.com