Parties Yet to Narrow Differences Over Coalition
By Kim Sue-young
Staff Reporter
Two leaders of liberal political parties had a closed-door meeting to discuss ways of creating a coalition late Tuesday but failed to reach an agreement, party officials said Wednesday.
Co-Chairman Kim Han-gill of the Centrist United Democratic Party called for the disbandment of the pro-government Uri Party, while Uri Chairman Chung Sye-kyun refused to accept the demand.
On the other hand, some lawmakers of the Centrist United Democratic Party urged the party leaders to unconditionally join hands with the Uri Party, threatening to defect the party.
Chung reaffirmed Wednesday that the Uri Party will remain the way it is, saying that ``there is no room for consideration.''
``I don't think it is necessary to have further meetings with the Centrist United Democratic Party if they keep repeating the preposterous insistence,'' he said.
The two leaders were originally scheduled to meet again Thursday but further discussions were cancelled after they failed to make headway on the issue.
As party leaders have shown little progress in the grand coalition of liberal groups, more lawmakers are considering deserting from their parties, sources said.
Reps. Shin Jung-sik and Kim Hyo-seuk of the Centrist United Democratic Party announced Tuesday they will quit the party unless party leaders make a decision on the coalition.
About 15-20 lawmakers of the Uri Party also plan to leave the party by next Wednesday to discuss ways in creating a new party with Shin and Kim, party sources said.
Liberal groups have been seeking to merge to defeat the main opposition Grand National Party (GNP) in the Dec. 19 presidential election. But leaders of those groups are faced with a stalemate, with no clear resolve in sight.
As a result, lawmakers of those forces threaten to defect from the party to organize a new party.
``If the leaders cannot narrow gap on the coalition, I think lawmakers should make some changes,'' an Uri lawmaker said, asking to remain anonymous.
It seems that party leaders tolerate lawmakers' desertion.
``Every party member can quit their party. If their desertion is helpful to the grand coalition, the decision will be up to themselves,'' the Uri chairman said.
He added some lawmakers are trying to organize their own force to achieve the coalition with civic groups, which may enable the Uri Party and the Centrist United Democratic Party to have more discussions on the coalition.