ULD Head Warns on Consultations

Kim Jong-pil, honorary president of the United Liberal Democrats, warned the ruling Millennium Democratic Party to respect the opinions of his party.

"The Millennium Democratic Party should first discuss issues with us if it plans to cooperate with the opposition on," Mr. Kim said.

"The ruling party has not done so up to now, and there has not been close consultation between us and our coalition partner."

His aides said Mr. Kim was expressing his dissatisfaction with the way the ruling party has dealt with North Korea and the government inquiry into alleged tax evasion by newspaper companies.

Mr. Kim strongly criticized the government's decision to allow 337 South Koreans to attend Liberation Day celebrations in Pyongyang.

"The delegation does not represent only those 300 people. They are representing 46 million South Koreans," he said, warning that the South should not harbor any illusions about the North.

Mr. Kim, who has been mentioned repeatedly as a possible candidate in next year's presidential election, said his party is willing to cooperate selectively with the opposition Grand National Party.

"But it would not mean breaking the coalition with the ruling party," he said.

As next year's local elections and presidential race draw near, Mr. Kim is being closely watched by political observers. His United Liberal Democrats' 20 seats are crucial for the ruling camp to maintain its majority in the 273-seat National Assembly, which could give him leverage if he hopes to run for president on a joint ticket with the ruling party and the third ruling coalition member, the Democratic People's Party.

by Kim Jung-ha