Park Hee Tae Named as GNP`s Acting Chairman

The opposition Grand National Party (GNP) Chairman, Suh Chung-won, appointed Park Hee Tae, a fourth-term lawmaker, as party acting chairman, who will lead the party until the national convention scheduled for March, GNP spokesman Park Jong-hee said yesterday.

The spokesman quoted the chairman as saying "I couldn`t serve as party chairman (because of a visit to the U.S. for about two weeks from Feb. 2), so I appoint Rep. Park Hee-tae as acting chairman according to party rules."

Mr. Suh is not expected to return to his post after returning from his trip.

Sung-Won Park swpark@donga.com