GNP Condemns Appointment of New Prime Minister

On May 22, the Grand National Party (GNP) expressed strong opposition to the appointment of Lee Han-dong, president of the United Liberal Democrats (ULD), as prime minister. The GNP argues that the restoration of cooperation between President Kim Dae-jung (DJ) and ULD Honorary President Kim Jong-pil (JP) will see the destruction of the two-party system now in place, which features a smaller ruling party and larger opposition party.

GNP President Lee Hoi-chang described the appointment of Lee Han-dong as a betrayal of the public sentiment expressed in the recent general elections in a talk with reporters. Other high-ranking GNP officials, including chief policymaker Chung Chang-hwa and floor leader Lee Boo-young, were equally blunt about their displeasure. "This is a revival of kill-or-be-killed politics, which denies politics of mutual survival," seethed one.

GNP spokesman Kwon Chul-hyun also denounced the appointment in a statement which read, "This is a fundamental annulment of the avowal that the two-party structure would be respected, made during the recent meeting between the heads of the ruling party and the opposition."

The GNP is keeping its eyes on the appointment hearing to be held next month. It is likely to attempt to undermine Lee Han-dong's credibility by citing his defection from the GNP last year as evidence of his questionable morality. GNP concerns are heightened by its conviction that Lee could emerge as a single presidential candidate for the ruling Millennium Democratic Party (MDP) and the ULD, a fear confirmed by Lee Hoi-chang's confidants.

During his interview with reporters, Lee Hoi-chang said, "We will firmly resist the ruling party's attempt to change the political scene." The following are some questions and answers from the interview Lee Hoi-chang.

[Question] What do you think of the appointment of Lee Han-dong as prime minister?

[Lee] The ruling coalition's behavior - based on so-called 'DJP' [President Dae-jung and ULD Honorary President Jong-pil] cooperation - was a major factor in the confusion and complications dominating politics over the past two years. Lee Han-dong seems to have been appointed in order to restore the cooperative relationship broken during the recent general elections. In the eyes of the general public, whose trust they have betrayed, the ruling circles will carry a burden from which they will never be released.

[Question] Do you view the appointment of the prime minister as an artificial attempt to re-align the political scene?

[Lee] The restoration of 'DJP' cooperation is an act meant to deceive the general public, prior to its being an artificial political realignment. After the general elections, the ruling party and the opposition agreed to encourage a politics of mutual survival, as suggested by voters. I warn ruling circles that they should not threaten this crusade and drive politics to confrontation and extremism once again.

[Question] In connection with the forthcoming approval of the prime ministerial appointment, is there a possibility that non-mainstream groups within the GNP, including the faction that once followed Lee Han-dong, could break from the party line?

[Lee] No such person exists in our party.

by Lee Sang-il