Agreement on Creation of New Party by 4 Factions

It is confirmed that Rep. Chong Mong-jun and Council for Unification of Presidential Candidates (CUPC), which consists of Millennium Democratic Party members, agreed to set up a new party by the 10th of next month. Under the plan, the new party will include Rep. Chong, the CUPC and the Liberal Democratic Party members and former Prime Minister Lee Han-dong.

One senior member of the CUPC said, "We met with Rep. Chong. Both sides agreed to establish a new party before Nov. 11th. In the new party, 4 political factions will participate. We have also handed over to Chong`s camp all the documents and materials legally necessary for the establishment of the party. "

Both sides reportedly will hold a meeting of representatives of both, including Choi Myung-hun and Kim Won-gil from the CUPC, Kang Shin-ok from Chong`s camp, Cho Boo-young of the Liberal Democratic Party, and Kim Young-jin acting on behalf of Lee Han-dong. In the meeting, they will discuss all the necessary steps and procedures for the creation of the new party.

It is reported that the CUPC and Rep. Chong are positively reviewing a proposal, under which a presidential candidate of the new party will officially be selected and announced in the party foundation ceremony, which in turn is scheduled for early next month.

The CUPC, in the meanwhile, is maneuvering to form a congressional body of the new party, which requires that a political party should have at least 20 congressmen. As part of that effort, CUPC members will defect from the MDP next week, and more than 15 MDP members have endorsed the plan.

One key member of the CUPC confirmed, "Counting in Kyunggi congressmen who have promised to join us, we have more than 25 members with us in our defection. Thus, there will be no problem in meeting the requirement for establishment of the congressional body. "

Kang Shin-ok, who works for Rep. Chong, confirmed, "In our meeting with the CUPC, both sides agreed to make Rep. Chong the next president of Korea. "

Rep. Chong himself announced, "I will arrange many opportunities to meet the people who can share views with me. That way, I wish I could encompass as many congressmen as possible. "

On the other hand, former MDP member Rep. Kim Min-suk announced his defection on Oct. 17th, and joined with Rep. Chong.

Sung-Won Park Yong-Gwan Jung swpark@donga.com yongari@donga.com