Negotiations for Kim-Lee Meeting Break Down

Representatives of both political parties failed to reach an accord on the details of the meeting between President Kim Dae-jung and opposition leader Lee Hoi-chang planned in order to resolve the National Assembly deadlock.

The opposition Grand National Party will consequently go ahead with its outdoor rally in Taegu on Sept. 29. In its condemnation of the opposition's move, the ruling Millennium Democratic Party said, "The opposition must have proposed the meeting between the two leaders merely to avoid public criticism of its outdoor rally."

Speaking at a party caucus today, Lee Hoi-chang told his party lawmakers: "I sincerely wanted to meet with President Kim, to resolve our differences and resume the National Assembly. But I think people will understand why we have to go on with our protest rally in Taegu at this point."

The ruling party held an emergency meeting and proposed continuing the floor leaders' meeting between the two parties that began two days ago. However, the opposition rejected the proposal, saying "there are no possibilities for more negotiations at this point."

The floor leaders of the two parties have been discussing issues such as the alleged meddling by the ruling party in the campaign funds probe and the possible involvement of Park Jie-won, former culture minister, in the Hanvit Bank loan scandal for two days, but failed to overcome their differences.

by Chun Young-gi