Presidential Office Lashes Out at Lee’s Presidential Ambition

Cheong Wa Dae, the office of President Roh Moo-hyun, on Wednesday denounced former opposition leader Lee Hoi-chang's presidential ambition as "anachronistic and immoral."

Earlier on Wednesday, the 72-year-old Lee, who has twice failed in presidential elections running on the ticket of the main opposition Grand National Party (GNP), announced his decision to defect from the GNP and make a third bid for the presidency.

"Lee Hoi-chang has already been tried by the people and failed in presidential elections two times, due to his moral problems. His third presidential bid must be an insult to the people," presidential spokesperson Cheon Ho-seon said in his daily media briefing.

"Lee's presidential bid will only set back South Korea's political culture built through years of painful effort. His renewed presidential ambition leads us to reflect on the meaning of politicians' corruption. It seems that political principles and causes are disappearing," said Cheon.

Roh has indicated his intention to "passively" support Chung Dong-young, the presidential candidate of the pro-government United New Democratic Party, while harshly criticizing the front-running presidential candidate Lee Myung-bak of the GNP.