Election Disputes Linger On

In spite of the recent reconciliation between the leaders of the two main parties, President Kim Dae-jung of the ruling Millennium Democratic Party (MDP) and opposition leader Lee Hoi-chang of the Grand National Party, disputes over the recent general elections have been lingering on.

The opposition protested strongly after the president remarked that, "it was the cleanest election ever in terms of the neutral stance of the government, and political funds," a statement that the GNP considered absurd.

GNP floor leader, Lee Bu-young attacked the government, saying "though the accusations submitted to the National Election Commission (NEC) against the MDP outnumbered the cases brought against the GNP by 7 to 1, the cases being investigated by prosecutors are the opposite, with 30 concerning the MDP, and 35 concerning the GNP, demonstrating the unfair stance of the governemnt." The GNP plans to take other measures including a parliamentary investigation and meetings of relevant parliamentary committees. On top of these, the opposition party will hold a mass public campaign, or 'Anti Illegal Elections' campaign, calling for fair investigations, despite some opposition from within the party.
However, the MDP denies the charges, with a spokesperson commenting "the people who are accused of bribing voters to buy their votes are GNP members," and continuing, "the government successfully maintained its neutral stance throughout the elections."

by Choi Sang-yon