Coalition Heads Say No Merger

President Kim Dae-jung and Kim Jong-pil, honorary chairman of the United Liberal Democrats, agreed Friday at the Blue House to "close consultations" on all state affairs and politics, but not to unite their parties.

"The United Liberal Democrats and Millennium Democratic Party will not be merged," Kim Jong-pil said after the meeting.

The senior politicians concurred that "political stability is the basis for all stability" and agreed to "closely consult and cooperate for the stable management of state affairs," said Park Joon-young, the presidential spokesman.

They promised to prepare cooperatively for local elections and other by-elections.

Kim Jong-pil did not discuss the issue of a cabinet reshuffle, which he said "will probably be announced at a later date if it is going to take place."

Ruling party officials said Friday that a change in the cabinet is likely to happen. One official said, "the basic outline for the reshuffle has been drawn. But President Kim is probably mulling over its timing and breadth."

If there is a shakeup in the cabinet, another ruling camp official said that bringing the United Liberal Democrats into the fold would be the main function.

President Kim reportedly explained the results of the Korea-U.S. summit to Kim Jong-pil, who in turn briefed the president on his recent visit to Japan.

He was in Japan to plead the Korean government's case against the approval of a controversial Japanese history textbook.

by Kim Jin-kook