Spy Funds Probe Under Renewed Attack

Opposition leader Lee Hoi-chang and former president Kim Young-sam met Sunday at Mr. Kim's residence and discussed ways to deal with the ongoing investigation into the alleged funneling of funds from the National Security Planning Agency into the then-ruling New Korea Party in 1996. Rep. Kwon Chul-hyeon, the spokesman of Mr. Lee's Grand National Party, said the two men shared the view that prosecutors' assertion that money was illegally transferred from the state intelligence agency to the New Korea Party, predecessor of the Grand National Party, for campaign purposes is groundless.

Political observers continued to wonder whether Mr. Lee and Mr. Kim, a former head of the New Korea Party, will field an alliance against President Kim Dae-jung and Kim Jong-pil, the head of the United Liberal Democrats, who have formed a ruling coalition.

The meeting between Mr. Lee and Mr. Kim was the first in six months.

According to Mr. Kwon, the former president said that the investigation is intended to be a ierevengeli against him and that he and his associates have been ietraumatizedlb by the government's investigation.

Rep. Park Chong-ung, the former president's spokesman, said the two saw the current state of affairs as having produced a "grave situation." He added that the former president told Mr. Lee to be more vigorous in waging offensives against the government.

Mr. Lee said in return that as the leader of the opposition, he will use all legal and political means to fight against the government and defend his party despite all the difficulties.

The former president also expressed concern about the government's North Korean policy, according to officials. Mr. Kim opposes the planned visit to Seoul this spring by the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-il.

Mr. Lee has said that a resolution of such issues as settlement of the Korean War and the downing of a Korean Air jetliner by North Korean agents should precede the visit.

by Noh Jae-hyun