Party outsiders are in early stages of forming a third political entity

Political forces outside the Millennium Democratic Party and the Grand National Party are seeking to organize a new party on their own.

The MDP, which is trying to organize a new party and distance itself from the scandals that have enveloped the Blue House, has failed to recruit high profile party outsiders. Those considered wildcards in the presidential election equation are Lee Han-dong, former prime minister, Park Geun-hye, chairman of the Korean Coalition for the Future, and Chung Mong-joon, an independent lawmaker.

A close aide of Mr. Lee said Thursday that he would promote a new party embracing some MDP lawmakers, United Liberal Democrats and members of the Democratic People's Party. The faction within the MDP that wants to replace Roh Moo-hyun as the party's presidential candidate might bolt from the party and join the new party.

Sources close to the situation said that a three-way talk among Mr. Lee, Ms. Park and Kim Jong-pil, president of the ULD is under way. Mr. Kim predicted Wednesday that the upcoming political landscape would be volatile. "But one thing is sure: Mr. Roh will not become president," he said.

The third party is wooing Mr. Chung, whose popularity equals that of the GNP presidential candidate, Lee Hoi-chang, in recent polls.

"It is unclear whether independent lawmaker Chung Mong-joon would join," said Lee Han-dong's close aide. "But there is a chance that he might, as it would be difficult for him to join a new party promoted by the MDP."

Ms. Park said that her political ideals differ greatly from those of Mr. Roh, but has asked Mr. Chung to join her party. According to ULD sources, Mr. Kim believes that Mr. Chung's participation would decide the fate of the new party.

Mr. Chung said, "Politics change constantly and people with the same understanding should stand together." Although he showed interest in a new third party, he was very prudent. "I must first decide whether to run for the presidency ," he said.

Political observers said that the success of the new party would also depend on the participation of the anti-Roh camp within the MDP, which is led by Rhee In-je whom Mr. Roh defeated in the party primary. But unrelenting, Mr. Roh criticized Mr. Rhee for rejecting the primary result for the second time, referring to Mr. Rhee's bid for the presidency in 1997 after he lost the bid for New Korean Party's presidential candidacy to Lee Hoi-chang.

by Chun Young-gi, Kim Sung-tak