Opposition to Elevate Protest

While the ruling National Congress for New Politics(NCNP) is seeking a dialogue to repair the political inter-party rift, the opposition Grand National Party(GNP) on January 10 decided to carry the struggle outside the National Assembly onto the streets. GNP members have been protesting the government's covert political investigations of opposition representatives.
The economic hearing into the past administration's mishandling of the economic crisis is in a precarious situation as to whether it will commence by early this year as planned.
The NCNP wants to keep moving on President Kim Dae Jung's cox of a course of political reform with stable national governance.
The ruling side is sending messages to the GNP that it can recommend a summit meeting at the Blue House(Chong Wa Dae) between President Kim and GNP President Lee Hoi Chang.
However, Lee on January 10 denied any suggestion of meaningful discussions with the ruling side by saying, 'It is not a suggestion even worth considering since the current political standstill was caused wholly by the government. It is proper that they should apologize to us in advance. We are even thinking of staging demonstrations and rallies outside the Assembly to appease the people.'