Accords unlikely at Kim-Lee summit

Even if a bipartisan summit between President Kim Dae-Jung and opposition Grand National Party leader Lee Hoi-Chang is held Monday, it is doubtful that they will be able to reach mutual accords on the outstanding issues, as there is a wide disparity in their positions.

Pertaining to the inter-Korean problems: Lee will point out that the government is too hasty in improving ties with North Korea and promoting them with emphasis on events. He is also expected to call for the government to discontinue the present style of economic cooperation with the North, such as unreciprocated food and energy aid, and giving favors to some specific enterprises.

On the contrary, the president is expected to emphasize that the inter-Korean question needs to be addressed from a supra-partisan perspective, calling for the approach to Pyongyang from a broader viewpoint. He will make clear that the government would resolve inter-Korean problems step by step and that he has no intention to settle them during the remainder of his term in office.

As for economic issues: Underlining that the current economic situation is displaying a total crisis, the GNP leader likely will ask Kim to recognize the current reality as it is. In particular, Lee, noting that the people are elated with the government propaganda for its overcoming the financial crisis, is expected to demand that the president address this focal question.

It is assumed that President Kim will concur with Lee that the nation is faced with a critical phase and ask for the opposition party's cooperation in passing the related bills needed for structural reforms in the four major sectors.

Social affairs: Lee will assert that it was wrong for the government to forcibly implement the medical reforms in defiance of the objections from both the medical doctors and pharmacists, as well as the general public, even though the policy goal itself was right.

At the same time, taking issue with the prosecution's unfair probes into the suspected violators of election laws, the opposition leader is likely to demand Kim's commitment to conducting fair and unbiased investigations into the cases. On the other hand, Kim will underscore principle policy goals regarding medical reform and election violations.