Interview with Lee Hoi-Chang

Q: Despite the gathering at the Seoul Station on the 7th, the ruling Millennium Democratic Party has not shown much response. How do you interpret this situation?

A: I am frustrated as well as deeply ashamed. The question is where the source of the problemlie. First, it is the railroading of the National Assembly Law revision. The ruling MDP had declared they would not practice such railroading but they`ve hit us below the belt. The second is the cover-up of tampering with the Prosecution Office`s election laws violation investigation. This is a serious problem. It is a case of a breach of national law and order which can`t be excused as a mere "slip" of the tongue.

Q: Regardless of who is at fault, there are some groups of citizen who feel that the National Assembly must continue to function normally. Does your party have any plans to return to the National Assembly anytime soon?

A: We are not doing this to get seals of approval from the people. Without a sincere step toward a practical situation to the problem, it would be useless for us to return to the National Assembly. The solution to this problem is more valuable than our presence at the National Assembly.

Q: The nation has been rocked by the allegation of tampering in the electioneering investigation and the Havit Bank loan scandal.

A: It is rather quite simple. They need to abandon their self-centeredness bordering on arrogance. If the statement made by MDP`s Rep. Yoon Chul-Sang (regarding the unlawful involvement of the MDP in the Prosecution Office investigation of campaign fund spending) is true, in order to get to the truth of the matter, a special investigative policy must be adopted. It is the same with the Havit Bank loan scandal.

Q: There are voices of concern that the continued insistence by the opposition Grand National Party could lead to a tragic fate of President Kim Dae-Jung`s administration. There are some who compare the current crisis to the Watergate. What are your views toward such worries?

A: I also am burdened by current situation. In the Watergate case in America, during the early phase of the investigation, no one thought it would lead to the resignation of President Nixon. However, the attempted cover-up led to an avalanche. Should President Kim and those around him try to cover up the incidents by brushing them off as slip of the tongue or being perpetrated by the lowest ranking members of the party, it could lead to a surprising end.

Q: Some have posed that the personal distrust between you and President Kim has been the cause of the worsening situation. Are you willing in anyway at all to perhaps widen your understanding and support President Kim?

A: The current spiraling crisis resulted not from some personal distrust but from the President`s misguided views toward the National Assembly and politics. As he is of the opinion that as long as the opposition has the majority, he would be ineffective in leading the nation, the current crisis was unavoidable. I have always adopted a platform of support so that a president may be able to carry out all his duties during his term. However, I have felt betrayed over and over.

Q: Let me turn to the subject of inter-Korean problems. Some feel that the opposition`s insistence for mutual caution toward the North is hampering the progress of inter-Korean relationship.

A: The very concept of "progress" needs to be examined. Such fragile progress like a cup of glass can`t really be called progress. If the progress only happens superficially, it is troubling. As an example, for the North to raise the standards of living for its people, there needs to be a fundamental economic restructuring. However, such is not the case. We insist on the necessary conditions which could be applied toward honest and stable progress.

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Q: A short time ago, the U.S. Ambassador to Korea Bosworth stated that the cost of unification must be burdened by South Korea. How should the funds for the unification be secured?

A: Ambassador Bosworth`s statement is very important. The support for the unification cost must be established according to our means. However, the government has taken to "event-oriented" course with such aggrandizement of the Gae-sung Industrial Park proposal. The question of establishing a Northeast Asia development bank was suggested by me.

Q: Some fear a second economic crisis. What do you think about the size of public fund injections by the government?

A: I feel our economy is in great danger. I have heard some say that the period from latter half of this year to next year would be the critical period. They say that the government`s heavy financial support of the economy has actually caused the economic descent. Although it is true that the current government has overcome the foreign currency liquidity crisis in 1997, that does not mean we have overcome the "IMF" crisis. Not just 10 trillion, but no amount is too much if it could stabilize and promote the economy. However, the injections need to be made correctly and with transparency

Q: Last year, you spoke your mind on the possibility of revision for double office term for the Presidency.

A: I stated I would consider it if the revision is proposed. However, it should not be proposed prior to the 2002 Presidential Election. The Cabinet system is not all too suitable for our nation.

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Q: How do you feel about the next Presidential election? Who do you feel may be the greatest threat?

A: At this point, there are simply too many political hot potatoes (laughs)¡¦I don`t think it is time yet for such statement.

Q: The brands of democracy pursued by the two Kims and you seem to have some degree of differences¡¦

A: There needs to be firm foundation and conception of jurisprudence. The various national crisis from the lack of such foundation and conception. The principle of market economy is also the "rule". Habermas calls it law and order. Only when the rule of law becomes the political, economic, and social foundation, even the unification could be managed without two much turbulence.

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Q: How should Korea come to terms with the four superpowers surrounding the peninsula?

A: First, the mutual reciprocal interaction under the alliance between Korea and the U.S. must continue to provide the framework. For the solutions to the problems in the peninsula, the Korea-U.S.-Japan mutual assistance according to the "Perry process" could play an important role. For the peace settlement in the peninsula, a constructive role must be encouraged for China and Russia.

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Q: Would you meet with North`s leader Kim Jung-Il if he does indeed make a visit to Seoul?

A: No one knows whether he would come, but if he does, there is a possibility of a meeting.

Q: Is there any possibility of a meeting between the heads of the two Parties?

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A: I have repeated on various occasions that for the solution to be found, the core of the matter must first be dealt with. Just because the heads of parties meet, that would not solve the fundamental problems.

Q: If you could advise the President, what would you say?

A: I hope the President becomes frank and candid. I was stunned to hear the President say that the answer was the strengthening of the ruling Party through majority of number. It is not unlike suggesting a forceful strength in number as the answer to all crisis. Is the opposition there to merely play second fiddle? They need to open their eyes wide and smell the coffee.