Hopefuls joust for candidacy of 'anti-corruption party'

Chung Mong-joon, an independent lawmaker, and Park Sang-cheon of the Millennium Democratic Party met Monday in an attempt to organize "an anti-corruption unified party for the people."

But the two men remained far apart on the details of the new party, or even if one would be formed.

"Mr. Chung and the MDP," Mr. Park said Friday, "have agreed to pursue new politics where corruption is not tolerated." He said the party would be joined by all members of the MDP after its formation. He said it would be headed by forces that include Mr. Chung and others with similar views, such as Park Geun-hye, the chairman of the Korean Coalition for the Future.

But Mr. Chung denied Mr. Park's statement. "I have never agreed to joining an organization meant to support a new party," Mr. Chung said, "but I admit to sympathizing with the idea of taking part in a party led by people against corruption to unify the people." He said any such new party should be open to all people, which means that all members of the MDP would be free to join."

When Mr. Park suggested a new primary campaign to select a presidential candidate, Mr. Chung said, "it would be against the principle to allow anyone other than the new party to determine the method of candidate selection."

The Millennium Democratic Party presidential candidate, Rho Moo-hyun, received a telephone call addressing Mr. Chung's and Mr. Park's statements during a policy meeting with an advisory committee on Tuesday. He seemed puzzled at the contradictory comments.

"I met the president of a newspaper," Mr. Roh said, "and he advised that the method of electing a candidate is only a secondary matter in people's minds. I will let Hahn Hwa-kap, the chairman of the MDP, and others take care of the problem of selecting a candidate, and I will win with dignity when the time comes. I will keep confidence in myself, but with humility."

This is different from his earlier statements that supported a popular election as a required condition to forming a new party.

Mr. Roh answered affirmatively when asked if he would like to contend with Mr. Chung for the candidacy, saying he hasn't considered meeting Mr. Chung for talks.

by Kang Min-seok, Seo Seung-wook