Governor Kim Hyuk-kyu to Join Uri Party

Kim Hyuk-kyu (64), governor of the Kyungsang province, will hold a press interview on Monday and withdraw from the Grand National Party (GNP).

Governor Kim is expected to join the Uri Party immediately and receive precedence in the nationwide constituency in next year’s general election. He will be in charge of either the commander position for the election headquarters in Young-nam province or a position in the central headquarters.

A close associate met with a reporter on Sunday and said, “Governor Kim will have a press interview at the Kyungsang provincial office on Monday morning to clarify such intentions,” adding, “But he will resign from the present governor status either at the end of this year or early next year.”

It is also known that nonpartisan member Kim Byung-ro(60), mayor of Jinhae, who has been elected as the local governor three times, along with 4-5 heavily responsible people such as the foundational committee representatives, both former and current, and university presidents will also join the Uri Party along with Governor Kim on the same day.

Prior to the press interview on Sunday, Governor Kim visited former President Kim Young-sam at his Sangdo-dong house, but former President Kim had tried to dissuade Kim from leaving GNP, said GNP member Park Jong-ung, spokesman for former President Kim.

Governor Kim is also known to have met with President Roh, but Chong Wa Dae’s position was that “it cannot be clarified.” Yun Tae-young, spokesman for Chong Wa Dae, denied such charge, saying, “Although there are talks of Governor Kim taking over the next premiership, Roh has neither considered such options nor has been offered such proposal.”

Bae Young-su, assistant spokesman critizied via a review, “Manipulative politics such as extracting opposition committee member to encourage the new party should be lamented,” adding “seasonal birds who only seek their survivial will eventually lose its nest.”

jyw11@donga.com manman@donga.com