'JP' Group Cranks Up Presidential Master Plan

The United Liberal Democrats are planning a large-scale political realignment aimed at isolating Lee Hoi-chang, leader of the opposition Grand National Party and the strongest contender so far for next year's presidential election.

According to an internal party document titled "Master Plan," obtained exclusively by the Joong-Ang Ilbo on Sunday, Kim Jong-pil, the de facto leader of the conservative party within the ruling coalition, would become the presidential candidate representing the ruling coalition and elements of the current opposition.

The plan includes trying to recruit leading figures affiliated with the Grand National Party, such as former President Kim Young-sam, Park Geun-hye, the daughter of former President Park Chung Hee, and Cho Soon, former mayor of Seoul.

The plan aims to attract leaders representing a wide range of regional and ideological interests under one roof by offering them "equal opportunities to exercise power" under a parliamentary system of government led by Kim Jong-pil.

Most notably, the plan calls for appointing Park Geun-hye, currently a vice president of the opposition party, as prime minister.

The plan advises that the party make its move for the dramatic shift in the political landscape between December and March. It went on to assert that once this new party is created, President Kim Dae-jung should hand over leadership of the party to "JP," as Kim Jong-pil is affectionately known in political circles.

Kim Jong-pil, the only one of the so-called Three Kims － the others are Kim Young-sam and Kim Dae-jung － who has not served as president, would then form a shadow cabinet and work in earnest toward capturing the Blue House, the plan said.

According to the plan, Kim Jong-pil, who served as prime minister under a number of presidents, would retire in April 2004 after revising the Constitution to introduce a parliamentary system of government.

by Chun Young-gi