Coalition Celebrates 3rd Anniversary of Kim's Presidency

President Kim Dae-jung marked the third anniversary of his presidency with the ruling party's coalition partner, the United Liberal Democrats, pitching "strong government" as political, economic and North Korean challenges dog his administration.

"I will build a society where law and order stand upright and principles are respected," Mr. Kim said in a statement read by his party's chief secretary. Mr. Kim leads the ruling Millennium Democratic Party.

His emphasis on rule of law and democratic principles provide the foundation he says is necessary to tackle the array of challenges facing his administration.

"The economy can be revived and inter-Korean relations furthered only if politics is stabilized," Mr. Kim said. "The ruling and opposition parties should compete fairly based on democratic principles and rule of law."

Political observers construed the pledges of "strong government," which were first heard at a New Year's news conference, as the ruling camp's strategy to continue its Blue House occupancy in the December 2002 presidential elections.

Mr. Kim in December 2000 sent three legislators to the United Liberal Democrats to allow them to qualify as a negotiating bloc. The ruling coalition, which together commands 135 seats, is reportedly broadening to include the Democratic People's Party. The party, which holds just two seats in the 273-seat National Assembly, would give the ruling coalition the necessary majority of 137 seats.

Despite Mr. Kim's intentions to not designate the party's candidate for the 2002 presidential elections until early 2002, two senior party members, Reps. Kim Keun-tae and Rhee In-je have announced that they will run.

by Kim Ji-soo