GNP leader faces battle in own ranks

The main opposition Grand National Party found Thursday that recent in-house turmoil may well lead to a showdown between mainstream party members, led by party chief Lee Hoi-chang, and party members outside Mr. Lee's circle.

Mr. Lee asked Thursday to meet with Kim Deog-ryong and Hong Sa-duk, the two legislators challenging him to reform the party by adopting a group-based leadership system before the presidential election. They have criticized Mr. Lee for relying on his "cronies" to run the party.

Both Mr. Kim and Mr. Hong turned down the invitation, saing Mr. Lee should open the issue to party-wide discussion. Mr. Kim has said he could leave the party and throw his support behind Representative Park Geun-hye, daughter of President Park Chung Hee, who left the party recently.

With the presidential election in December and about half of the nation's voters reportedly undecided on whether to vote for the ruling or the opposition party, both major parties are looking for an "alternative" to take votes away from the competition. A third political party would alter the political landscape dominated by the ruling Millennium Democratic Party and the main opposition Grand National Party.

Those outside Mr. Lee's inner circle are asking him to ensure that the party's presidential nominee cannot assume the presidency of the party after the convention in May.

Most of the reformers also want the party to adopt a new form of leadership before the December election. The party's autocratic decision-making processes have been heavily criticized recently.

In order to embrace such demands Mr. Lee must change the party platform and charter that were passed by the party's central committee Feb. 27.

Such changes could meet with resistance from Mr. Lee's close aides, but political watchers believe the opposition leader will at least partially acquiesce to the demands.

by Lee Sang-il