Posted October. 02, 2000 15:12,
As the confrontation between the ruling party and the opposition party has somewhat softened with the Grand National Party`s rally in Daegu as its peak, it draws attention to how GNP leader Lee Hoi-Chang would approach the fight against the ruling party.
At a meeting of key party members Sept. 30, the GNP has commissioned the future political direction to Lee. And the party has decided to follow Lee`s recommendation to take time to hear diverse opinions.
In this connection, Lee contacted many people in and out of the party regarding the GNP`s appearance in the National Assembly. At a press conference Sept. 28, prior to the Daegu rally, Lee said that the GNP never would abandon the National Assembly. So it is only a procedural problem for the GNP to attend the parliament.
An opposition law maker anticipates that Lee will make a decision on this matter in a short period. He told Lee that a continuous rally outside the National Assembly would be a burden to the opposition party and that public servants would complain about the stack of various bills. And Lee agreed to the suggestion, according to Sohn.
However, some observers speculate that Lee wouldn`t decide to attend the National Assembly unconditionally. His urgent press conference Monday was intended to block the spreading rumors that the GNP would attend the National Assembly without any conditions, according to a party member.
GNP spokesman Kwon Chul-Hyeon said that Lee was very upset about the capricious attitude of the ruling party for negotiation, adding that the ruling party must show a serious attitude for normalization of the political situation.
On the other hand, the Democratic Millennium Party is feeling at ease. As for the GNP`s position that the ruling party has shown a favorable attitude first on opening political dialogue, the DMP has suggested that both parties need to start negotiations first.
Chung Kyun-Hwan, the ruling party`s floor leader, repeatedly contended that it is necessary to discuss an agenda for a meeting between Lee and President Kim Dae-Jung, as proposed by Lee. It is the position of the DMP that it is not in a hurry because the GNP has internally decided to attend the National Assembly.