Former Premier Joins Presidential Race

Former Premier Lee Han-dong yesterday declared his candidacy for the December presidential election.

"I am confident of my ability to faithfully carry out the tasks required of the head of state," Lee said, emphasizing his morality and 44 years of his experience in the government, law enforcement, political parties and the National Assembly.

He also said, "The Grand National Party(GNP) and the Millennium Democratic Party (MDP) have failed to overcome their image as regional parties. Neither of them could form public consensus. I will actively participate in the ongoing creation of new party by some lawmakers of the MDP, and try heart and soul to become a presidential candidate elected in a fair manner."

"I will have a delegate join some MDP lawmakers to create a new party. I am preparing to create my own party in case that the creation of the proposed new party by MDP lawmakers do not go smoothly," said Lee.

He unveiled 10 national tasks. Among them are transforming the nation to an advanced country by 2010, reducing the length of obligatory military service to 1 year, exempting those who have automobiles with less than 2000cc and increasing the cap of the quota for female governmental directors to 30%.

About 3000 supporters including 20 lawmakers from the MDP and the United Liberal Democrats attended at the occasion.

Jeong-Hun Kim jnghn@donga.com