Park, ex-prime minister may form political party

Representative Park Geun-hye, formerly of the main opposition Grand National Party, and Lee Soo-sung, a former prime minister, agreed in principle Friday to create a new political party.

Political analysts said Representative Chung Mong-joon, an independent legislator who is a son of the founder of the Hyundai business group, is a likely candidate to join the new party. Representative Kim Deog-ryong of the Grand National Party, who has been known to clash with opposition leader Lee Hoi-chang, is also likely to join.

The endeavor by Ms. Park, daughter of former President Park Chung Hee, could turn the December presidential election into a three-way race. At the moment, Mr. Lee, the main opposition leader, and Representative Rhee In-je of the ruling Millennium Democratic Party are the only serious contenders.

Coming out of the meeting, Ms. Park said, "We have agreed to end the history of confrontation and conflict, and to lay the foundation for a strong nation, both economically and culturally, by pooling the public energy. We will exert ourselves to create a country of hope with colleagues who long for political reform."

Mr. Lee, the former prime minister, seconded that, saying the party would be open to those who share similar goals for the nation. He added that the December election is a chance for voters to take part in a "civic revolution."

The announcement comes a day before the ruling party kicks off a primary to pick its presidential nominee in Jeju province. Political watchers forecast that some ruling party candidates who lose the primary would jump to the new party.

The opposition leader, Mr. Lee, would be the hardest hit by the creation of a third party as Ms. Park can draw on many of the same power centers as the Grand National leader.

Not surprisingly, Mr. Lee criticized Ms. Park's move saying, "The creation of a new political party aims to disperse the votes from the Gyeongsang provinces and will help the Kim Dae-jung administration remain in power." Mr. Lee should know; he lost his 1997 bid for the presidency in large part because Mr. Rhee broke away from Mr. Lee's New Korea Party and split the conservative vote, allowing Kim Dae-jung to take the election.

by Lee Sang-il