President Roh Joins the Uri Party

On May 20, at a dinner gathering with 19 leading officials including Shin Gi-nam, chairman of the Uri Party, President Roh announced his intention to join the Uri Party.

President Roh’s joining of the party took place seven months and 20 days since leaving the Democratic Party on September 29 last year.

At this gathering, President Roh reportedly stated, “Considering the latest wave of the domestic and international political situation, it is inevitable to swiftly reorganize the lineup of women’s rights by advancing the Cabinet shake-up to this month.” An official of Cheon Wa Dae stated, “As the second political term has started, much time has been invested on the issue of how the party and the Cheong Wa Dae will balance their opinion on the pending question of our political situation. Rather than the past method of weekly meeting between the president and the party leaders officiating , the deliberating method of Cheong Wa Dae and the party officials on each case as the occasion arises has been discussed.”

Yong-Gwan Jung yongari@donga.com