Millennium Democratic Faction Is Called 'A Great Disservice'

Defying expectations that his revolt would be short-lived, Representative Kim Keun-tae of the Millennium Democratic Party pressed for the third consecutive day for the political retirement of the so-called Donggyo-dong faction, a core group of loyalists of President Kim Dae-jung.

"The Donggyo-dong faction, by thinking that it owns the Millennium Democratic Party, has done a great disservice to President Kim Dae-jung and the party," Mr. Kim said, naming the faction publicly for the first time as he called for its dissolution.

In the third press conference he has called since Sunday, Mr. Kim revealed the contents of a phone conversation between himself and Kwon Roh-kap, a leading member of the faction.

"Mr. Kwon said that calling for the dissolution of the Donggyo-dong faction is tantamount to calling for the dissolution of the party," Mr. Kim said. "Which means he admits that the faction is controlling the party."

With his strident calls for the members of the faction to retire from politics, and rare disclosure of a personal phone call, Mr. Kim's protest has reached the point of no return, political watchers said. They added that Mr. Kim is trying to position himself at the head of a crowded pack vying for the party ticket in next year's presidential election.

Another sign of internal strife surfaced at the first Supreme Council meeting hosted by the new party Chairman Han Kwang-ok. Just five out of the nine councilors attended. Former party chairman Kim Joong-kwon, and Representatives Kim One-ki, Kim Keun-tae and Chyung Dai-chul were conspicuously absent.

Meanwhile, a group of first-term lawmakers calling themselves "Dawn 21" also protested the president's recent changes to the party leadership, the cabinet and lineup of Blue House secretaries.

"The Donggyo-dong faction has taken hold over the Blue House and turned the party into its private club," said Representative Kim Seong-ho, a member of Dawn 21.

by Kim Chong-hyuk