Political Turbulence over Confidence Vote

President Roh, on October 11, said, “A vote of confidence is obviously the best way to ask for the people’s confidence.”

At a press conference, Roh said, “I know it is an unprecedented decision and is raising controversy over whether it is lawful and appropriate. However, I believe we can revise the relating law to allow confidence measures to approve of the president’s performance.”

In the meantime, President Roh directly denounced the Grand National Party, saying that the National Assembly dismissed a minister from the position and a chairman nominee for the Board of Audit and Inspection of Korea were turned down. The National Assembly decided they were unqualified based on unconvincing reasons.

In response to the president’s remarks, the Grand National Party Chairman Choe Byung-yul said at a press meeting on October 12, “We all know that it was the Choi Do-sul scandal that made Roh take such an extreme action.” Choe further commented, “But now, he is accusing the opposition party of not being cooperative.” Chairman Choe also urged President Roh to tell the truth about all the scandals and accusations around his aides.

Millennium Democratic Party Chairman Park Sang-chun also urged President to order thorough investigations into the cases and suggested having a summit of the four political parties.

On the other hand, People`s Participatory and Unity Party interim chairman Kim Won-ki suggested at a press meeting that the party actively considered a vote of confidence by saying, “We need to find the best way to satisfy both the people and the political circle.”

Meanwhile, Senior Secretary for Political Affairs Yoo In-tae said, “The vote should be scheduled after the session of the National Assembly. January or February will be the most appropriate time for the vote.”

On October 11, President Roh turned down cabinet resignations submitted by Prime Minister Goh Kun and the other members of the cabinet.

Jeong-Hun Kim Yeon-Wook Jung jnghn@donga.com jyw11@donga.com