Outsiders say they'll take a pass on a new party's runoff with Roh

High-profile political figures outside the Millennium Democratic Party said they would not participate in the new party's run-off if the MDP presidential candidate Roh- Moo-hyun enters the race, saying they respect the will of the people who elected him.

Political observers, however, have suggested that their claims are just an excuse and that political heavyweights do not want to play second fiddle in a party under Mr. Roh's leadership. These political figures believe that the chance of winning the new party's primary is low due to Mr. Roh's standing in the MDP and in Nosamo, a group of fervent Roh-supporters outside the MDP.

The MDP sought to embrace Lee Han-dong, the former prime minister, Park Geun-hye, chairman of the Korean Coalition for the Future and Chung Mong-joon, an independent lawmaker, to boost the image of the new party.

Mr. Lee said Tuesday that he wanted to join a new party starting from a clean slate. "I will not participate in a new party led by presidential candidate Roh Moo-hyun or a new party that would select the presidential candidate through a runoff," said Mr. Lee.

Mr. Chung said he would not enter the new party's primary if which Mr. Roh participates. "The wishes of 2 million electors, who participated in the people's primary that selected Mr. Roh should be respected," he said. "It is wrong for the new party to ignore the opinion of the people and hold a runoff," he added.

Ms. Park also said that she had no desire to join the new party or a runoff if Mr. Roh is involved. "The new party should provide sufficient explanations if they want to replace Mr. Roh who was elected through the people's primary, but they did not," she said.

Their resolution troubles factions within the MDP that are pushing for the organization of a new party. They wanted to raise a breath of fresh air with a runoff.

Discord between the anti-Roh camp, which wants a more inclusive party and Mr. Roh's supporters, who want him to remain as their leader, could grow worse, political observers say. The anti-Roh camp argued that discussions to promote the new party have changed. "Who would join the party if the presidential candidate and executives would not give up their vested rights," said representative Kim Young-bae.

by Chun Young-gi, Choi Hoon