Politicians regroup to set goals

President Kim Dae-jung and the main opposition leader, Lee Hoi-chang, both left Friday for their New Year holidays, during which they normally mull over their plans for the coming year.

Mr. Kim left Friday for a four-day stay at Cheong Nam Dae, the presidential retreat in North Chungcheong province, Blue House spokesman Oh Hong-keun said. Mr. Kim is expected to focus on stimulating the domestic economy through expanded spending and encouraging more exports, presidential aides said.

Also topping Mr. Kim's holiday agenda will be how to head off possible political fallout from the three financial scandals rocking the nation. The president is expected to consider a new cabinet lineup to deflect some of the criticism.

Mr. Lee, president of the Grand National Party, left for Busan, saying he will work next year to create an "upright nation where law and principles stand as pillars so that corruption cannot take root."

Mr. Lee is also expected to focus on his strategy for the series of major elections facing him and his party, and on maintaining his lead over other presidential candidates. He will face some competition for his party's presidential nomination, and the party will contest local elections in June and the presidential election in December.

Kim Jong-pil, president of the minor opposition United Liberal Democrats, in his customarily obscure style said only, "Harmony is the most noble thing." Mr. Kim is known to express his political plans through these kinds of adages; in this case raising speculation that he is looking to form an alliance with a major party before next year's elections.

Han Kwang-ok, chairman of the ruling Millennium Democratic Party, cited winding up party reform and retaking the Blue House as the party's "paramount goals" for next year. The ruling party's seven presidential hopefuls will likely focus their holiday planning sessions on winning the party's presidential nomination.

by Lee Sang-il