Ruling Camp and GNP Are Marshaling Forces

The newly-formed three-party ruling coalition is expected to stage its first real battle with the opposition Grand National Party later this week. The looming conflict was precipitated by differences over three reform bills.

The coalition, made up of the Millennium Democratic Party, the United Liberal Democrats and the Democratic People's Party, said Wednesday that the bills, to curb money laundering, fight corruption and boost human rights, will be handled by secret ballot.

Separately, the opposition party on Wednesday submitted a proposal to the National Assembly to dismiss Prime Minister Lee Han-dong and Lee Keun-sik, the minister of Government Administration and Home Affairs. The opposition said they failed to deal adequately with police actions during the April 10 crackdown against members of the Daewoo Motor union. The proposal is slated to proceed to the floor on Thursday, and voting could take place either Friday or Saturday.

Political observers said the two camps will attempt to reach a compromise on all issues by Friday noon, but will vote on the bills and the dismissal proposal if negotiations break down.

The opposition Grand National Party opposes the ruling coalition's revised bill on money laundering, which would give a proposed government body, to be called the Financial Intelligence Unit, the power to trace financial accounts of politicians suspected of receiving illegal political contributions.

The ruling coalition said the opposition's proposal to remove the prime minister and the government affairs minister is simply a political tactic intended to put the ruling party on the defensive.

The ruling coalition has the numerical advantage, with 137 seats in the 273-seat National Assembly. The opposition Grand National Party holds 133 seats. Even if a compromise cannot be reached, the coalition could pass the three reform bills.

by Noh Jae-hyun