MDP chiefs irked by Chung

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MDP chiefs irked by Chung

Representative Chung Mong-joon, an independent who is expected to run in December's presidential election, is at odds with Millennium Democratic Party leaders.

Mr. Chung will reportedly organize a new party this month to support his presidential bid, and has reportedly met with 10 MDP lawmakers he would like to lure away. His overtures have rubbed party executives the wrong way.

Hahn Hwa-kap, the party's chairman, said on a Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation radio program Monday that Mr. Chung, who had been courted by the party to salvage its wrecked public image, had offended him. He said that Mr. Chung's conduct was not proper and that MDP executives were "displeased."

Some political observers said that Mr. Chung's party would likely consist of non-Assembly figures as no lawmakers have announced their intention to join the new party. But his close aide hinted that Mr. Chung wants his party to be named a negotiating bloc in the Assembly before the presidential election, which would be impossible unless MDP and opposition Grand National Party legislators join to get their numbers up to the required 20.

"It is too early for the lawmakers to decide where they will go yet," said the aide, who asked not to be identified. He added that lawmakers who are out of favor with the MDP leadership might leave the party if Mr. Chung stays popular. Most of them are natives of Gangwon and Chungcheong provinces and dislike the MDP presidential candidate, Roh Moo-hyun.

Political analysts said Mr. Hahn does not want to give an impression that the party is agitated by Mr. Chung, but added that the party head wanted to drive a wedge between Mr. Chung and any MDP members who may be on the fence. Mr. Roh's camp is struggling to keep party members from turning to Mr. Chung.

by Lee Jung-min

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