GNP Rejects MDP Proposal to Hold High-Level Talks

The opposition Grand National Party (GNP) today flatly rejected the suggestion put forward by the ruling Millennium Democratic Party (MDP) yesterday that the two parties hold a meeting of senior officials to discuss ways to resolve the current political deadlock, saying, "We will not negotiate with the ruling camp until it agrees to introduce a special prosecutor for an impartial investigation into the Hanvit Bank loan scandal."
GNP floor leader, Chung Chang-wha, acknowledged the receipt of the MDP proposal at a meeting with the party's secretary-general and its chief policymaker. However, Chung said: "I cannot accept the offer as it is a ploy to put the responsibility of resolving the political crisis on the opposition."
Chung added that the GNP will not reenter the National Assembly until President Kim Dae-jung decides to introduce a special prosecutor, regardless of whether Culture and Tourism Minister Park Jie-won resigns or not.
GNP spokesperson, Kwon Chul-hyeon, also released a statement saying, "The MDP clearly knows what the opposition and the people want, but it continues its demand to hold a meeting of senior officials to undermine the protest rally in Pusan on Sept. 21."
Meanwhile, GNP lawmakers yesterday visited the special police unit that unlawfully investigated the former Korea Credit Guarantee Fund employee who refused to extend credit guarantees to the brother of Minister Park. Today, they visited the Hanvit Bank headquarters to learn the details of the illegal loan.

by Lee Su-ho