Rhee gives up bid, will stay in party; Roh's path is clear

Representative Rhee In-je, running a disappointing second in the Millennium Democratic Party's presidential primary, threw in the towel Wednesday.

"I have given up the dream of becoming the Millennium Democratic Party's presidential nominee," said Mr. Rhee, 54, in a press conference held at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul.

"I will commit myself to the dev-elopment of our party and for the victory of a moderate-reformist line," Mr. Rhee said. Contrary to the forecasts of some political watchers, he said he would remain in the party. But the comment about the moderate-reformist line suggested that he would not endorse the presidential bid of his conqueror, Roh Moo-hyun, but would continue to attack Mr. Roh's radical and populist image.

Mr. Rhee's aides said his decision stems from a calculation that he would not be able to overtake Mr. Roh in the remaining three primaries in Busan, Gyeonggi province and Seoul, on Saturday, Sunday and April 28, even though they will supply more than 50 percent of the nomination votes.

Mr. Rhee's withdrawal leaves Mr. Roh with just one challenger, Representative Chung Dong-young. But Mr. Chung has trailed badly in the voting so far, with just 2,240 votes to Mr. Roh's 9,702.

"There have been excessive fighting and emotive attacks," Mr. Roh said of his rival's withdrawal, "but Mr. Rhee was a wonderful rival. We have to work together for the party's win in December, and I will make the effort as well."

Mr. Chung criticized Mr. Rhee for dropping out of the primary, and the opposition Grand National Party said it demonstrated the reach of the "invisible hand" of the Blue House.

Mr. Rhee's decision opens another potential source of change in a political arena already volatile in a politically sensitive year. Rumors of a new political party to be formed either by Representative Park Geun-hye or Representative Chung Mong-joon refuse to die.

Mr. Roh has also warned that he would resign as presidential nominee and submit to a new primary selection test if the ruling party fails to win any of the elective offices in the June elections for metropolitan mayors and the governors of the Gyeongsang provinces.

by Kim Chong-hyuk