[EDITORIALS]A useless political gambit

The Grand National Party and the Millennium Democratic Party are at odds once again, this time over the dismissal of the minister of justice, Kim Jung-kil. The two parties seem to consider the issue the final verdict. "Full mobilization" and "emergency standby mode" are several of the phrases reminiscent of the days of the military government that are being used by both camps.

The Grand National Party claims that allegations of draft dodging against the son of the party's leader, Lee Hoi-chang, are political terrorism. The party claims that Mr. Kim is the mastermind of this plan and that he should be dismissed. If its proposal for Mr. Kim's dismissal is not accepted this week due to opposition from the Millennium Democrats, the GNP said it would submit it again in the regular Assembly session next week. The Millennium Democrats have vowed to stop the proposal, using all means necessary. The party leader, Hahn Hwa-kap, has even called for Lee Hoi-chang's resignation in retaliation. The Grand National Party's resolve to submit at the beginning of the session what would sustain a long and bitter battle between the two parties, and the Millennium Democrats' insistence that the opposition party leader resign even before the results of the public investigation are revealed show how desperate both parties are.

There is actually very little chance the National Assembly will pass the motion. If the Millennium Democrats fight vigorously, not even the Grand National Party, the majority party, would be able to garner the votes for dismissal. It would lead to only more chaos. The wisest thing is to end this battle quickly.

The Grand National Party should withdraw its plan to submit the motion for dismissal, and the Millennium Democratic Party should promise to leave the inquiry of Mr. Lee's son in the hands of the prosecution and stop using this issue for political gain.

The partisan contention turned for the worse after Mr. Kim pushed ahead with the personnel shuffle of the prosecutors office shortly after his appointment despite the Grand National Party's concern about the fairness of the investigation. Mr. Kim should apologize for causing all this confusion and promise a fair investigation. This deadlock will ease only when those involved step back.