Lawmakers` Irresponsible Remarks Cause Stir

A top aide to Lee Hoi-chang, presidential nominee of the Grand National Party (GNP), has sent tremors throughout the country by making irresponsible remarks on President Kim Dae-jung`s health.

As the presidential office of Chungwadae and the Millennium Democratic Party (MDP) has take up issue with his remarks that it was possible that President Kim became incapacitated, Kim Moo-sung, chief of staff of Lee, made a formal apology.

But the MDP has continuously urged Lee Hoi-chang to make an explanation and apology.

▽Cheong Wa Dae and the MDP Blaming Kim Moo-sung

Park Sun-sook, presidential spokesperson said on the 13th, "It is a pity that the chief of staff of the presidential candidate of the GNP, which holds the largest number of seats in the National Assembly mentioned the possibility of the incapacitation of President Kim, while the President is putting all his energy to state affairs." She added, "Equally disappointing is that he made a derogatory remarks against acting Prime Minister Chang Sang only because she is a woman," she said.

Lee Nak-yeon, MDP spokesman demanded an apology from Kim Moo-sung and Lee Hoi-chang. He said in a statement, "His remarks show that the GNP doesn`t mind to confuse state affairs and destabilize the nation in order to satisfy its desire to hold political power. His remarks that the female premier could not perform her duty well if the president becomes incapacitated because she does not know anything about national defense also reflect a chauvinist views."

▽Kim Made an Apology

Kim Moo-sung said in a press conference on the 13th, "I was making a joke with reporters. I was just concerned about the president`s health and had no other intention. But I clearly made a mistake and I apologize about my remarks."

But he defended himself, saying, "If the president is hospitalized, it is also state of incapacitation. Frankly we are all concerned about the ability of the female premier, who knows nothing about national defense to lead the nation in such a case."

He added, "I did not intend to contempt women. I was just worried about national defense."

▽ The MDP Fights Back

The MDP said on the 14th, "Kim`s apology was tantamount to nothing more that an excuse. He still holds his chauvinist views given that he mentioned again `a female premier who knows nothing about national defense`,

Lee Nak-yeon, MDP spokesman asked, "If Kim`s remarks hold true, how can the GNP explain about Lee Hoi-chang`s ambition for Cheong Wa Dae, who exempted his sons from the military service?" and urged again an apology from Lee Hoi-chang.

The MDP announced the "irresponsible remarks that contempt the head of the state made by GNP lawmakers` and criticized that the repetition of such rude remarks by GNP lawmakers showed the arrogance and distorted sense of the privileged.

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