Kim enters his last year planning no initiatives, only stewardship

As of Monday, President Kim Dae-jung will have exactly 365 days to stay in the Blue House. But if his time is short, advice for him is plentiful.

During the remainder of his presidential term, Mr. Kim should not set about any new national agenda and should conclude the ongoing projects, said lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties. Economic recovery and fair management of the elections are the core mission of this administration, the representatives summarized.

Elections were the hot topic among the lawmakers. "For fair management and supervision of the elections, the cabinet should be reshuffled in order to balance out the personnel appointments that favored figures from Jeolla region," argued Ha Soon-bong, vice president of the Grand National Party.

The ruling Millennium Democrats agree that transparent and impartial elections are the key to a successful ending for this administration. "If Mr. Kim can purge monetary influences from elections, that will be surely seen as a great feat," Representative Chung Se-kyun said.

The lawmakers greatly differ on how North Korea policy should be implemented during the remaining months.

"Unless Mr. Kim gives up his obsession with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il's return visit to Seoul, the Korean Peninsula may fall into chaos," most Grand National Party members warned.

"Mr. Kim's engagement policy toward the North generated splits in national opinion due to lack of discussions between the ruling and opposition parties," said Representative Han Seung-soo of the Democratic People's Party, a former foreign minister.

In contrast, Rep. Lee Jae-joung of the ruling party stressed that Mr. Kim should take the lead not only in inter-Korean talks, but also in fostering dialogues between Pyeongyang and Washington and between Pyeongyang and Tokyo.

Lawmakers unanimously urged that all bribery and political scandals exposed during this administration be investigated thoroughly and the outcomes be made public.

"The collapse of public confidence in government is worse than ever," said Representatives Park Sang-cheon of the ruling party, Cho Boo-young of the United Liberal Democrats and Hong Joon-pyo of the Grand National Party. "The truth behind all scandals should be disclosed in order to alleviate the burden of the next administration."

President Kim acknowledged the lawmakers' criticism and requests. "Beginning new reforms is above my ability," he said, and emphasized his intention to put only finishing touches on national governance during his term.

by Choi Sang-yeon