Ruling Coalition to Establish New Party in December

Regarding the ruling coalition's plans to form a new party, the acting President of the ruling National Congress for New Politics (NCNP), Lee Man-sup recently said, 'It will be established in December.'
The acting President Lee said at an interview with the Korea Broadcasting System, 'We will organize a committee for the preparation of the establishment of the new party after resolutions are taken on the issue at the central committee to be held on August 30.'
The NCNP will create an organization which attracts young experts into the new party, announced Mr. Lee.
Asked about the proposed cabinet system introduction, he said, 'Prime Minister Kim Jong-pil's announcement of the suspension of the cabinet system debate means that ruling coalition discussions will not take place before the 16th general election. Whether the matter will again be on the agenda after the general election depends on the number of seats held by each party.'
Regarding the former President Kim Young-sam's re-entry into politics and the special pardon of the former President's son Kim Hyun-chul, the acting President Lee said, 'The shouting by the former President at the press conference was not desirable. I merely delivered the public's negative opinion on the special pardon of Kim Hyun-chul to President Kim Dae-jung.'
Kang Joo-an : jooan@joongang.co.kr