Presidential Contender Asks Coalition Cabinet

Representative Kim Keun-tae of the ruling Millennium Democratic Party on Thursday called on President Kim Dae-jung to form a grand coalition government when he reshuffles his cabinet next month.

"When the National Assembly's main session comes to a close, the president should form a grand coalition government after gathering opinions from the top three political parties and civic groups," said Mr. Kim, who is vying for the ruling party's presidential nomination.

"A grand coalition government will allow Seoul to focus on the economy, public welfare and prepare for next year's World Cup soccer games and Busan Asian Games," Mr. Kim said. He added that such an arrangement would force the main opposition Grand National Party to be politically accountable.

He also attacked the opposition leader, Lee Hoi-chang, saying "people are skeptical of the origin" of some of his money, adding that transparency in political funding is necessary to avoid corruption scandals.

A reopened investigation into Chin Seung-hyun, the former president of MCI Korea who is charged with obtaining illegal loans, is spurring speculation that Mr. Chin bribed politicians of several parties while running his business.

Mr. Kim is the latest member of the ruling party attempting to assert himself after President Kim Dae-jung resigned as party president. On Wednesday, Noh Mu-hyun, another presidential hopeful, sided with the opposition in demanding that Prosecutor-General Shin Seung-nam resign after a series of prosecution missteps while investigating corruption cases.

Party insiders construed Mr. Kim's remark as an ambitious move to become the center of the party's "anti-Lee Hoi-chang" strategy before the June local elections and the December 2002 presidential election.

One party official, who asked that his name not be used, said Mr. Kim's demand will be hard for President Kim to ignore.

by Kang Min-seok