President Roh Will not Join the New Party even after Withdrawal from Millennium Democratic Party

Cheong Wa Dae Senior Secretary for Political Affairs Yoo In-tae met with the press on September 22 and commented on the issue of 4 political party system as the consequence of the launching of the new party, saying that, “there is a great possibility for President Roh Moo-hyun to not belong to any of the parties after withdrawing from the

Millennium Democratic Party, and cooperate with political parties case by case.”

Such remarks are worth noting, for it signifies that President Roh will not join the newly created party even after withdrawing from the Millennium Democratic Party, and will unfold combined policies, while observing the political situation for the moment. When asked whether Roh will stay in his current party until next year`s general elections, Yoo answered that such is “unlikely to happen,” suggesting thin possibility of holding general elections with the President in the Millennium Democratic Party.

“Until this term`s inspection of the administration conducted by the National Assembly is over, President Roh will be observing the situation without withdrawing from the party,” Yoo said, adding that Roh would “consult the Millennium Democratic Party if necessary, but to my knowledge, there are no issues to be consulted until the inspections are over.”

Concerning this issue, a core official of the Political Affairs Office said that, “President Roh is thinking of staying out of all political parties and consulting with all parties on policy issues,” saying that, “the President`s withdrawal from the Democratic Party and his joining the new party are separate issues, and the issue pertaining to the President`s party registration will be finalized by the end of next year, even if he withdraws from his current party right after the administrative inspections.”

Young-Hae Choi yhchoi65@donga.com