Parties Retract Congratulations

The ruling, opposition and minor political parties were busy retracting their congratulatory statements to Texas Governor George W. Bush Wednesday, as neither presidential candidate was yet named the winner.

After the U.S. press prematurely declared Mr. Bush the winner, the ruling Millennium Democratic Party, the opposition Grand National Party and the United Liberal Democrats all issued official statements congratulating Mr. Bush.

Behind the scenes, insiders at the ruling party expressed regret that U.S. Vice President Al Gore did not win. The ruling party is concerned that a Republican president will slow down the pace of rapprochement between the two Koreas.

"With a Gore win, President Kim's North Korea policy could have gained new momentum," one ruling party official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said.

The opposition party, however, would welcome a Republican victory, as it opposes the rapid pace of Mr. Kim's engagement of North Korea, analysts said.

The United Liberal Democrats, a minor party, had long favored Mr. Bush.

However, with votes being recounted in the state of Florida, the political parties hurriedly retracted their statements, and awaited the official election results.

by Lee Soo-jeong