MDP election discord worsens

With the election race for the ruling Millennium Democratic Party`s (MDP) top position narrowing down to Lee In-Je and Hahn Hwa-Kab, there are indications that fierce internal confrontations could soon arise.

Stepped up efforts to stifle Hahn Hwa-Kab, who is recognized to be the unshakeable number one candidate, have apparently sparked a verbal war. Hahn is asserting that other candidates` camps are spreading the rumor that he is distancing himself from the pack by conducting a systematic vote-gaining campaign.

There are indeed stories coming from Lee In-Je`s camp that Han is using the election as a foothold for his ascendance to power and is engaged vote-gaining strategies that move beyond the legal scope of the elections. As proof, Lee`s camp has pointed out Han`s recent denial that the Honam region will be overlooked when he is in power. In addition, rumors that a Buddhist faction is promoting Hahn are also regarded suspiciously by Lee`s camp. Lee In-Je`s camp also believes that Lee cannot be the next leader only because of Han`s underhanded efforts.