Roh Will Link Election Results to His Confidence Vote

President Roh Moo-hyun’s on Thursday said that he will link his confidence vote issue to the outcome of the upcoming general elections. However, the opposition parties strongly rebuked the president’s remark saying, “His remark was a political tactic in order to circumvent an impeachment.”

"I will make a political decision in accordance with the results of the general elections, as the people`s judgment will be reflected in the elections," Roh said during a special press conference held on Thursday at Chong Wa Dae. “I hope to resolve the problems through the general elections in regard to my fate as the nation’s head of state,” Roh said.

Roh was vague about how well the Uri Party would have to do, but analysts believe he would have meant securing over one-third of the seats in the legislature, the minimum required number to resist against an impeachment or a constitutional amendment.

In this regard, Roh said he will make public his decision when he joins the Uri Party, including the question of whether or not he will step down and how to seek the public’s confidence through the general elections. However, Roh said he will join the Uri Party when the special inquiries end.

In regard to opposition parties’ demand for an apology for his comments in support of the Uri Party and breaking his neutral stance on the elections, the president responded that he can not accept the demand just for the sake to escape the impeachment because he doubts whether he did anything wrong.

In addition for his remark that he would step down if his campaign team received one-tenth of slush funds in the last presidential election compared to that of the main opposition party, Roh said there are some disputes over the nature of the funds that his camp received, but he believes it does not exceeds one-tenth of what the main opposition party took. “Even if the opposition classifies the nature of the funds for the sake of their vested interests, as it exceeds only several hundred million won to that of what I said. It is not as serious as to pull out the nation’s head of state. Shouldn’t we just consider it as a draw?” Roh said.

In connection with prosecutors’ investigation results on campaigning funds and the irregularities of his relatives, the president made an apology. "I bow my head and extend my apology. I will solemnly assume my duties and make sure such shameful things never take place again.”

In response to the president’s remarks, the Grand National Party vice spokesman Eun Jin-soo condemned Roh saying, “The president’s remark is a maneuver to avoid the impeachment and break his ‘one-tenth’ pledge.” In addition, MDP spokesman Kim Young-hwan also claimed that “putting his presidency on the line in April`s national elections is a threat to the people to vote for the Uri Party, and it is a valid reason for an impeachment.”

Jung-Hun Kim Sung-Won Park jnghn@donga.com swpark@donga.com