[EDITORIAL] Time to Overhaul Ruling Party

Members of the Millennium Democratic Party have begun to join the call for radical reform of their party. Comments such as, "The present leadership does not have the capacity to restore the credibility of the party," and, "An extensive reorganization is needed to overhaul the reform system," are among those being made by many MDP members, including those in the supreme council and newly elected representatives. The suggestions amount to a total restructuring of the party.

This unhappy situation, in our opinion, derives from President Kim Dae-jung's style of government. His need to put everything under his direct control seems to have certain structural weaknesses. For one thing, it has been discouraging members of the cabinet and ruling party from carrying out policies and negotiating with other parties on their own initiative. While they are engaged only in doing the president's bidding, there is no way that state affairs will be properly taken care of.

The present government is like an invalid who has a functioning brain, but whose limbs are all paralyzed. In fact, the eyes and ears seem to have problems too.

There even is talk among ruling party members about the need for someone to do some "straight talking" with the president to help him see the reality of the situation.

The leadership of Chairman Suh Young-hoon is the focus of much of the criticism. Many ruling party members do not conceal their disappointment at the way Mr. Suh has led the party through the recent ups and downs at the National Assembly caused by the impeachment motion.

Some of them are flabbergasted by the shamelessness of the party leadership, which violated the National Assembly Law but is still trying to blame the opposition Grand National Party. In the eyes of these critics, the party leadership knows neither where the party is located nor in which direction it should proceed.

Rep. Jang Sung-min seems to have spoken for them when he called for "a stronger leadership led by the chairman," pointing to the weakness of the present leadership.

"The present leadership does not have the capacity to negotiate with the opposition to deal with current issues," Mr. Jang said, "and we need a new leadership with a chairman who is really in control of the party." We agree with Mr. Jang.

Han Hwa-kap, a member of the supreme council, pointed out the need to adjust the party's relationship with the United Liberal Democrats. The various problems deriving from the awkward cohabitation of the two parties with radically different colors have been discussed over and over. This debate can be extended to bring into question the position of Lee Han-dong, the prime minister.

The presidency of a minor party, which has failed even to form a negotiating body in the National Assembly, does not seem to be the best qualification for the office of prime minister. Might the leadership of such a prime minister not be another reason why the cabinet is unable to perform its duties in a responsible way?

An extensive overhaul of the ruling party and the administration is needed to inspire the nation to rise up and tackle the economic crisis that seems to be upon us already.

It is also necessary to enable President Kim to perform his duties smoothly during the second half of his term in office. Key positions should be filled by honest and capable persons, and they should be allowed and encouraged to do their jobs on their own.