Blue House Official Wary on Convention

Namkung Jin, Blue House secretary for political affairs, said Wednesday that the party's convention on Jan. 20, 2002 is isfar too earlylt to decide who will be the ruling Millennium Democratic Party's presidential candidate. The next presidential election will take place in December 2002. Mr. Namkung also said that people in the ruling camp should equally share responsibilities in running the country. He added that the ruling party's presidential candidate should be determined based on his contribution to the party and the nation.

He spoke after reporters asked his opinion on an earlier comment made by Chang Ki-pyo, senior official of the minor Democratic People's Party. Mr. Chang said on Saturday that Kim Joong-kwon, the ruling party chairman, has the best chance of being supported by President Kim Dae-jung to become the next presidential candidate for the party. ihSome say we need to hold the elections in April,ln Mr. Namkung said. 'don't think there's a whole lot that the party headquarters are required to do during the campaign since election efforts are managed at city and provincial levels.

A ruling party official said Mr. Namkung's comment showed his intention to study public sentiment during local elections to be held in June 2002 before deciding on a candidate. Rhee In-je, a presidential hopeful of ruling party, down- played the comment, saying that it only reflects Mr. Namkung's personal opinion. But Han Hwa-kap, another ruling party hopeful, welcomed the comment.

by Kim Jin-kook