It's a War Of Words In Politics Right Now

Ruling and opposition camps took their gloves off Friday to fight in what is becoming political war after the breakdown of talks between President Kim Dae-jung and the opposition leader and the prosecution investigation of slush funds in 1996.

Presidential spokesman Park Joon-young blasted calls by Lee Hoi-chang, the opposition leader, for the president to stop trying to form a coalition with the minor United Liberal Democrats. He said it was a "political tactic to depress the president so that they can wield power."

The head of the presumed coalition partner, Kim Jong-pil of the United Liberal Democrats, joined in the attack.

"It is not statesmanlike to act as if one is already president, muddling up things," he said.

The ruling Millennium Democratic Party also lent its support in attacks on the opposition.

On the prosecution report of the flow of intelligence agency funds into Mr. Lee's camp during the 1996 general elections, Chairman Kim Joong-kwon said that "it is hard to believe that President Lee Hoi-chang, who headed the electioneering at the time, was unaware of the funds."

President Lee of the opposition Grand National Party took issue with President Kim Dae-jung's definition of the defection of three lawmakers to the United Liberal Democrats. The president, during his meeting with the opposition leader on Thursday, called the flight "inevitable."

"The president's comments disrupt the basic order of things," Mr. Lee said.

Meanwhile, former President Kim Young-sam accused President Kim of "political revenge" and vowed to counter the investigation of the slush funds.

"I have not taken one cent during my term in office, but I know for a fact that the president took political funds even after he became president," he said.

by Kim Jin-kook