GNP Criticizes DJ for Commenting on Current Political Matters

President Roh Moo-hyun and former president Kim Dae-jung actively state their opinions about the current election campaign, and this provokes a debate about whether “puppet politics” are getting alive.

Last Saturday, former president Kim met Chung Dong-young, former chairman of the ruling Uri Party, who visited Kim’s residence located in Donggyo-dong, Seoul, and said that, “If the ruling party fails to form a united entity, it is meaningless to run the election.” Kim also repeatedly stressed, “We have no time for ourselves,” adding, “If there is nobody who can lead this chaotic situation, we have to break the deadlock by a life-or-death decision.” Kim also said that, “It is pity that while candidates of the opposition Grand National Party are traveling across the country to obtain votes now, the ruling party is just carried away with its inside conflicts.”

Meanwhile, such statements are being regarded a sign that Kim has begun to strongly appeal his position on this matter and, as Uri Party lawmakers have recognized, his argument is getting “much stronger than before.” However, regarding this, Kim’s aides announced yesterday that, “This is nothing but pure advice that stresses that both the ruling and opposition party must consider the needs of the nation before running a political competition.”

However, some experts argue that Kim, who declared his intention not to involve in politics, seems to be frightened of efforts to unify supporters of the ruling party, which have made little progress, and thus has appeared to step into the realm of election campaigning.

Kim plans to have a meeting with Kim Han-gill, the head of a new party launched by Uri defectors today, and Park Sang-cheon, chairman of the minor opposition Democratic Party tomorrow. During this week, Kim is also scheduled to meet former Prime Minister Han Myung-sook and Lee Hae-chan. Meanwhile, Kim already met former Gyeonggi Governor Sohn Hak-kyu on May 20 and Kim Hyuk-kyu, a lawmaker of the Uri Party, last Saturday.

President Roh has also paid frequent visits to local areas and is deeply involved in presidential election campaigning now.

Recently, President Roh strongly condemned two former chairmen of the Uri Party, Kim Geun-tae and Chung Dong-young, who left the party and argued for the dissolution of the party, saying that, “Their politics are obsolete and they should leave politics.” President Roh currently draws a clear line between these two former chairmen and other outstanding supportive figures in the party, such as former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan and Han Myung-sook, and Uri Party member Kim hyuk-kyu.

Furthermore, while stating his position about real estate taxation, Roh strongly criticized former Seoul mayor Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye, former chairwoman of the Grand National Party (GNP), saying that, “They will be presidents for just one percent of the total population.”

The fact that the all of the influential members who lead the participatory government evaluation forum are close aides of Roh provides evidence that Roh is deeply involved in political competition even now.

On the other hand, the number of Roh’s weekend visits to local areas has increased.

Last Friday, President Roh visited Ulsan to attend the Aegis vessel launching ceremony for the navy and after the event, Roh had a dinner with his high school alumni. He returned to Seoul on last Saturday. Cha Ui-hwan, presidential secretary for revolutionary management, who also went to the same high school with Roh had the dinner together that day.

On May 18, after attending May 18 democratic movement memorial ceremony, Roh stayed one night in a spa resort in Damyang and hiked Mt. Mudeung together with his supporters the next day. One week ago, Roh spent three days in Jinhyae, Gyeongnam and stopped by his hometown of Bongha village on the way back to Seoul and met his friends and looked around the construction site of his private residence.

Regarding this, a source from Cheong Wa Dae said, “Prior to his retirement from office, Roh is visiting friends and acquaintances to keep his private appointments that he has been putting off.”

About the involvement of former and current presidents in presidential election campaign, Moon Hak-jin, lawmaker of the Uri Party, said, “I think they can make contributions to a certain extent, but it is not desirable to entirely rely on their activities.”

Interestingly, there is conflict in the views between Kim’s circle and Roh’s.

While Kim’s supporters argue that it is necessary to mobilize locally based supporting groups, Roh’s supporters are opposed to the restoration of local antagonism. While Kim’s supporters advocate unconditional rice aid to North Korea, Roh’s supporters are very wary of this matter. They also have a different perspective on summit talks between South and North Korea.

However, experts predicted that as the primary election is close to the end, Kim’s circle and Roh’s circle will finally reach an agreement on these matters.

Meanwhile, the members of the opposition Grand National Party are condemning the political intervention of former president Kim and President Roh, saying that, “This is just puppet politics that ignore the national desire.”

Regarding Kim’s meeting with Chung to stress the importance of selecting a single candidate from the ruling party, GNP spokeswoman Na Kyung-won said yesterday that, “Former president Kim said that the GNP is throwing punches and dominating the political circle. We don’t think it is proper for a former president to compare the election, the foremost event in a democracy, with fist fighting that often occurs in a back street.”

Na also added that, “We expect that Kim will remain a respectable senior politician who keeps his distance from a meaningless power struggle,” adding, “We sincerely ask Kim to restrain himself from releasing statements that refute the national desire and go against contemporary needs.”

In addition, Kim Jung-hoon, chairman of the GNP information committee, said during a phone interview that, “Kim’s remarks are very likely to be understood as a attempt to appeal to ideology or regionalism,” adding, “Thus, even though the advice from political seniors is very important for development in the political sector, it is not desirable to provoke needless misunderstanding by interfering with the current political agenda.”