Threat to Dismiss Minister Leads to Heated Exchange of Words Between Parties

President Roh Moo-hyun spoke out against the opposition Grand National Party (GNP)`s move to dismiss the Government Administration and Home Affairs minister Tuesday, saying the move is inappropriate. The comments come one day before the National Assembly`s vote on whether to dismiss the minister. The GNP protested the president`s move, sending a ripple through the political community, by claiming that it is a challenge to party politics. In particular, if the National Assembly votes for the dismissal of minister Kim Doo-hwan on Wednesday, Mr. Roh is expected to exercise his veto power.

At a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, the president said, "I can hardly understand what the reason is for the motion. The people will watch whether the National Assembly plays its own role or takes sides in a bid to rock the current administration."

"People will pay close attention to whether lawmakers follow their convictions and conscience regarding the results of the vote," Mr. Roh stressed.

The president asked cabinet ministers to persuade lawmakers to vote against the dismissal and said, "Let`s discuss the issue after the results of the vote come out."

The ruling Millennium Democratic Party (MDP) convened a party executives` meeting, which was chaired by party chief Chyung Dai-chul, and discussed countermeasures to the GNP`s unilateral move to dismiss the Government Administration and Home Affairs minister. However, MDP members confirmed that they will not resort to force to prevent the passage of the motion.

"The GNP`s justification for the motion is too weak," MDP chairman Chyung said. "The GNP should stop trying to hobble the national administration immediately."

Meanwhile, the GNP leadership worked until late last night in a bid to prevent members from crossing the party line. Meeting with reporters, GNP floor leader Hong Sa-duk said, "President Roh tried to officially persuade opposition lawmakers to cast dissenting ballots on September 1. As a challenge to party politics, this is unforgivable."

The GNP presented a letter to the National Assembly asking for the resumption of a plenary session. It is widely believed that Speaker Park Kwan-yong will proceed with the vote as scheduled. The vote will start at the National Assembly building at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon.

After floor leaders of the GNP and the MDP failed to reach agreement on Tuesday, the Assembly speaker said that he would have no choice but to deal with the motion if a majority of lawmakers are present at the plenary session on September 3.

Yeon-Wook Jung Jeong-Hun Kim jyw11@donga.com jnghn@donga.com