Opposition Calls for Resignations Over Kim's '3 Major Policy Flops'

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Opposition Calls for Resignations Over Kim's '3 Major Policy Flops'

The opposition Grand National Party continued its call for a complete overhaul of government and political affairs, holding President Kim Dae-jung responsible for three major policy flops.

"Intent on prolonging his party's hold on power, Mr. Kim has brought about a breakdown of the economy, brought the issue of reunification to a crisis stage with his flawed North Korea policy and killed the freedom of the press," said Kim Ki-bae, secretary-general of the opposition party said.

The remarks followed a meeting of senior party officials.

"It is time for the president to come forward and assume responsibility for his mistakes and offer a solemn overhaul plan," Mr. Kim said.

The opposition offered a laundry list of government officials it wants to see resign. Oh Jang-seop, minister of construction and transportation, was targeted for Seoul's recent air safety downgrade by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration. It also said Unification Minister Lim Dong-won and Shin Kuhn, director of the National Intelligence Service, should both step down because of their inept handling of North Korean issues.

The opposition added that it will also challenge the ruling Millennium Democratic Party on the scandal surrounding development projects at the Incheon International Airport and the runaway behavior of the South Korean civilian delegation currently in Pyongyang.

Political watchers said the attack is just an attempt to gain the upper hand before a possible one-on-one meeting between opposition leader Lee Hoi-chang and President Kim Dae-jung, but they did not brush aside the challenges facing the administration. Presidential aides said a revamp of the ruling party leadership and the cabinet is coming soon.

At a cabinet meeting on Monday, the president was reportedly grim and silent. Analysts noted that the last time he was so quiet at a cabinet meeting was just prior to the March 26 cabinet reshuffle, in which he replaced more than 10 cabinet members.



by Kim Jin-kook

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