President Kim Orders Dissolution of Donggyo-dong Faction

President Kim Dae-jung on Jan. 2 ordered the dissolution of the so-called Donggyo-dong faction while President-elect Roh Moo-hyun stressed the importance of the reform of the ruling Millennium Democratic Party (MDP) leadership. Against this backdrop, rearrangement within the MDP is likely to be made in earnest.

Kim ordered the faction not to have meetings any more and said he hoped not to use the words, "Donggyo-dong faction," according to his chief of staff Park Jie-won.

At a meeting with reporters, Mr. Park said, "President Kim said that amid full-scale competition for the MDP chairmanship, the Donggyo-dong faction could be mentioned but that the words should not come out and not be used." He also added, "We understand that President Kim`s position has conveyed to MDP members."

Park quoted President Kim as saying that he would do his best as an ordinary citizen to help the new president succeed after stepping down and he would not interfere in domestic politics at all.

The Donggyo-dong faction, named after the area where President Kim lives, consists of his long-time followers, who have walked the same path since Kim was an opposition party leader. They were the core of the Kim Dae-jung power but were divided in the recent presidential election. As a result, in effect, the faction has lost its meaning as a political group.

During a speech at the New Year greeting ceremony, held at MDP headquarters in Yeouido, central Seoul, Mr. Roh reiterated the need of a party leadership reform, saying, "The leadership, which leads the party, should put a fresh face on to the people, and such a new leadership is necessary."

He also said, "When a leadership, charged with a mission of paramount importance, has worked for a long time, the public tends to want change. I want the party to understand that it should change the lineup of the party and what it is seen as to the public."

However, he showed his position that feuds within the party are not desirable saying that harsh words like "personnel liquidation" is not proper and it is not a matter of "who attacks whom" or "who protects whom."

On MDP chairman Han Hwa-kap`s saying about reconsideration of the separation of party and government, the President-elect said, "If I have an a opportunity, I will raise my voice, but I will not be deeply involved in party matters. The most important things are the right to nominate candidates and the right to appoint to party posts. Nomination will take place in the distant future and I will not participate in party appointments at all."

Seung-Mo Yoon Jong-Koo Yoon ysmo@donga.com jkmas@donga.com