Supporters of President`s Roh Create New Party As Scheduled

Reformists, mostly close allies to President Roh, within the ruling Millenium Democratic Party Monday made it clear that they would push for the plan to create a new party, amid rising criticisms from the party`s old guards. As a result, the formation of a new political party is just around the corner.

Rep. Kim One-ki, leader of the reformists in the ruling Millennium Democratic Party, said that his pro-Roh group would push ahead with the plan to establish a reform-oriented political party under the direct control of the president.

In response to Former MDP president Han Wha-gap`s refusal to join the new political party, MDP secretary general Lee Sang-soo, one of reformists within the ruling camp, said in a meeting with reporters that the reformist group would not be preoccupied with the idea of broadening support bases in forming a new party by incorporating moderates into a new fold.

The pro-Roh groups plan to submit a bill calling for the dissolution of the MDP and the creation of a new party to the committee meeting, despite opposition from their rivals the old guard. They also said that they would launch a committee for the formation of a new party by the end of next month. Reformists have said about 80 percent of the total 101 party lawmaker would join the new political party, suggesting that they completed the process of gathering more supports from party lawmakers.

Rep. Lee said, “We tried to form a new political party attended by as many lawmakers of the MDP as possible. However, it is time to make a decision to exclude those who disagree with us to push ahead with the idea of creating a new party. We will go ahead with the plan to implement the President`s election pledge to break deep-rooted regional rivalries that would have destructive effects on Korea. This time is our last opportunity.”

Sung-Won Park swpark@donga.com