Party Factions Clash on Candidacy

The ruling Millennium Democratic Party is embroiled in an internal dispute over the planned candidacy of Kim Joong-kwon, the party chairman, in the by-election scheduled for Oct. 25.

Rhee In-je and Kim Keun-tae, members of the party's Supreme Council and presidential hopefuls, said the party must win the election and that there was no reason to oppose Mr. Kim's candidacy if it increases the party's chances.

Noh Mu-hyun, a senior adviser, also supports Mr. Kim's candidacy, saying it would be a good opportunity for the party to consider a presidential candidate from the Kyongsang provinces, which are a traditional seat of political power.

Mr. Noh and Mr. Kim both hail from the region, but the ruling party is dominated by people from the Cholla provinces, President Kim Dae-jung's home region.

Some party members affiliated with the Donggyo-dong faction, the group most loyal to the president since his days as a pro-democracy activist, oppose the party chairman's bid in the by-election.

They said his candidacy would cause a muddle for the party if he retains his post through the election and suggested Mr. Kim relinquish his position to Hahn Hwa-kap, also a member of the party's Supreme Council and a strongman within the Donggyo-dong faction.

Jeon Yong-hak, the party spokesman, again confirmed Friday that Kim Joong-kwon is running, saying the party believes he is a competitive candidate.

Party members who had hoped to run for the Guro B district seat Mr. Kim is campaigning for complained that there was no evidence he could win and that candidates should be picked through official channels, not back-room deals.

by Kim Chong-hyuk