United Liberal Democrats Win

Lee Hoi-chang Says He Will Accept Them

Opposition Leader Lee Hoi-chang announced Tuesday that he would accept the minor United Liberal Democrats as a bona fide parliamentary negotiating group, changing his party's earlier stance.

"I consent to floor leader meetings with the United Liberal Democrats as a (legitimate) parliamentary negotiating group," Mr. Lee said as the two-day gathering of Grand National Party members ended.

He also put forth an idea of legislating a bill to bar political revenge.

"We must implement, with the people's consent and under their watchful eyes, a law barring political revenge to break its vicious circle," Mr. Lee said.

His comment was made amid one of the most rigid partisan standoffs ever, triggered when the ruling Millennium Democratic Party sent over three of its lawmakers to give the United Liberal Democrats 20 members and make it a negotiating group at the end of last year.

The prosecution's investigation into the alleged funneling of central intelligence funds to the opposition's predecessor party during the 1996 general election aggravated the partisan strife.

The opposition protested both events, terming the investigation a intargetedlo political measure to oppress it.

Aides said that Mr. Lee has not changed his view of the ruling party's tactics, but that he just wants to get back to work.

"Mr. Lee remains unchanged in his view that the 'rental' of the representatives is wrong," said opposition lawmaker Maeng Hyung-kyu. "However, he has decided to recognize the group in order to open the parliament so politicians can get back to the job of addressing the public's welfare."

The opposition party spokesman said Mr. Lee, a strong contender for the 2002 presidential election, is moving to differentiate himself from the "Three Kims" - former President Kim Young-sam, President Kim Dae-jung and Honorary President Kim Jong-pil of the United Liberal Democrats - who exercise a lot of power in Korean politics.

by Kim Ji-soo