Election Strategies Begin to Be Aired

A senior ruling party strategist said Sunday that in order for the Millennium Democratic Party to stay in power in the next general election, it will have to depend on coalition-building and inclusive politics rather than depending on a charismatic leader like President Kim Dae-jung.

Cho Se-hyung, a ruling party advisor, said Sunday, "The next government will be a government of reform, or of the MDP, not a government of an individual." Mr. Cho said he would stress the same message Tuesday to party lawmakers and leaders.

Political observers said party officials think Mr. Cho's words carry the president's imprimatur. Mr. Cho served as party chairman after Mr. Kim's inauguration in 1998.

"It was an error for the party to have not been able to build a partnership with the United Liberal Democrats for the last general elections," Mr. Cho said. iaIt would be inevitable to have a more diversified partnership if it is needed to back up reform, unification of the Korean Peninsula and full fledged democratization.lg A senior party official said, "What he means is that the MDP can win the next presidential election only if it can ally itself with other political groups."

The ruling camp is beginning to discuss how to win the next election. Last year party members were cautious about broaching the subject because they were worried about being accused of making Mr. Kim a lame duck, observers said.

"Building strong solidarity with groups pursuing social change is the only way to overcome the problem of regional conflict," said Rhee In-je, a member of the party's supreme council, speaking Saturday to a group of Koreans living in the United States.

by Lee Yang-soo