MDP Chief Criticizes Opposition Leader

Millennium Democratic Party (MDP) Chairman Suh Young-hoon sharply rebuked opposition Grand National Party (GNP) President Lee Hoi-chang for his comment that the Kim Dae-jung Administration remains nonchalant towards anti-Americanism and demands for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from South Korea.

Suh demanded that Lee withdraw his comment which could damage South Korea-U.S. relations and that Lee refrain from making such comments in the future.

However, Chang Kwang-keun, the opposition spokersperson, countered that Lee made his comment to warn the government of the need to deal with movements that are detrimental to national interests and that the MDP was mistaken in its criticism.

In another story, the ruling and opposition parties explored ways to restart the stalled parliament but failed to agree on a detailed parliamentary calendar. Political experts expect the parliamentary deadlock to continue into the foreseeable future.

by Lee Yang-soo