Coalition Scenario Unsettles Political Circles

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Coalition Scenario Unsettles Political Circles

A proposal by Kim Yoon-hwan, head of the Democratic People's Party (DPP), to President Kim Dae-jung on May 1 to form a "Japanese-style coalition government" has caused controversy.

The Millennium Democratic Party (MDP) refrained from comment, saying simply, "This could only be considered if the Grand National Party (GNP), the largest party, impedes the management of national affairs." The GNP is guarded, saying, "Is there not an intention to deny the two-party system that voters have created through the general elections?"

The MDP seems to have taken Kim Yoon-hwan's proposal as an invitation to the MDP (115 seats), the United Liberal Democrats (ULD) (17 seats), the New Korea Party for Hope (NKPH)(1 seat), and independents (5 seats). In that case, the MDP would secure a total of 140 seats. The majority party has 137 seats.

A high-ranking official said, "The formation of a coalition is one of many scenarios examined by ruling circles." Some in ruling circles believe that President Kim and DPP Chief Kim Yoon-hwan must have had more detailed talks, although if so they have not been revealed. Another official said, "If Kim Yoon-hwan takes the initiative and persuades the ULD and the NKPH to join in, we may examine the matter in earnest."

Figures in the ruling circle stress that they intend to take the GNP as a partner in national affairs. A key official said on May 2, "There is no change in the principle of dialogue and compromises with all the political parties before the inter-Korea summit meeting. For now, everything depends on GNP President Lee Hoi-chang."

The GNP seems to have taken this as an attempt to form a frontline against the GNP. Within the GNP, some put forward the observation that President Kim was trying to draw a picture of one ruling party and several opposition parties in order to break the two-party system, in which the opposition has a parliamentary majority. At the same time, hardliners claimed, "We were drunk with the victory in the general elections, and so we were not aware that we were being tricked by Kim Dae-jung's seasoned skills."

The GNP is eyeing the ruling party's proposal with suspicion. The MDP has suggested that the ULD be included in the floor leaders' talks, although it is not allowed to form a negotiation body, and a casting vote be given to a minority party in National Assembly standing committees by setting the number of members at an odd number.

Yet, Lee Hoi-chang's confidants assert that even if President Kim envisioned such a scenario, it would not work.

The ULD did not express an official stance. However, some executives said, "If we receive an invitation to form a coalition, there is no need to reject it because the ULD would have a bigger role to play."

by Lee Yang-soo

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