New party plans break from president and MDP

Kim Won-gil, the head of the Millennium Democratic Party committee that is promoting the organization of a new party, said on Monday that the new group will disassociate itself from the MDP's founder, President Kim Dae-jung.

"Why should we organize a new party if we are going to carry over the mismanagement of the current administration?" Mr. Kim said at a press conference. "The new party should start with a clean slate."

He said the new party should pursue middle-of-the-road politics and a division of power. "Those who do not pledge to revise the constitutional revision related to the division of power will not become candidates of the new party," he said, adding that these candidates should not be limited to MDP members. "The new party will be different from the MDP by embracing outside figures," he said.

But the Donggyo-dong faction within the MDP, which is loyal to President Kim, is opposed to severing ties with the president. Ten Donggyo-dong lawmakers, including Kim Ok-doo and Sul Hoon, will discuss on Tuesday the course of the new party and its plans to distance itself from the president. Supreme Council member, Park Sang-cheon, and floor leader, Chung Kyun-hwan criticized Mr. Kim's comments. "Mr. Kim should refrain from making hasty remarks about the new party," Mr. Chung said.

Mr. Kim said he had every right to make the statements as a head of the committee promoting the organization of the new party. He also expressed his intent to resign. Party chairman Hahn Hwa-kap, however, refused to entertain the notion. Mr. Hahn added that he would not enter a bid to lead the new party. "I would only like to serve diligently as a servant," he said.

Party sources said there is a strong consensus within the MDP to break with the current administration. That is crucial if the new party is going be successful.

The MDP must first respond to accusations that it is avoiding blame for the current administration's mismanagement.

The opposition Grand National Party said Mr. Kim's remark was part of a "conspiracy" coached by President Kim. "President Kim is pushing for the organization of a new party to maintain his political influence and secure his safety after his term expires," the GNP spokesman said. "It is a deception by replacing the party name."

by Rah Hyun-cheol, Choi Hoon