Politicians Tight-lipped on President Kim's Chances at Nobel Prize

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Politicians Tight-lipped on President Kim's Chances at Nobel Prize

The nation's two main political parties,fighting over just about everything else, are both keeping silent on the possibility of President Kim Dae-jung winning this year's Nobel Peace Prize.
Chong Wa Dae and officials of the ruling Millenium Democratic Party have been warned not to speak on the issue, insiders said. When asked, the government and ruling party officials are responding with the standard "I don't know."
The opposition Grand National Party is also being cautious on the issue.
Rep. Kim Man-je of the opposition party said that word is circulating that Kim is the strongest candidate, but that was due to the government's "Korean-style lobbying." However, the party's spokesman, Kwon Chul-hyeon, hastily asked reporters not to publish the comment.
Kim, who has been nominated 14 times for his achievements in human rights and the democratization of Korea, is considered a strong possibility for the recent feat in rapprochement between the two Koreas. Norway will make the announcement Oct. 13.
Nevertheless, President Kim's recently increasing meetings with European leaders and press are drawing keen attention.
On Monday, President Kim sat down for an interview with the Swedish daily, Dagens Nyheter. On Sept. 30, the Swedish National Assembly speaker visited the presidential office.
The Swedish daily extensively questioned Kim on inter-Korean relations since the June 15 summit, and human rights. In his meeting with the Swedish parliament speaker, during which he was invited to visit Sweden, President Kim reportedly said that "he would really like to visit."
Not officially included on the panel for the Nobel Peace Prize, Sweden is known to exert influence on the final decision.
Chong Wa Dae officials, however, denied any linkage between the visits and Kim's likelihood of winning the award.
"Those meetings were planned long in advance," officials said.

by Lee Jung-min

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