Opposition forces set to form new party next month

Leaders of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) have endorsed a plan to launch a new party with other opposition forces in an inaugural national convention next month, party officials said Monday, a move aimed at boosting its chances ahead of next year's general elections.

DP leader Sohn Hak-kyu had previously agreed to get the party to merge with civic and labor groups as well as those loyal to late former President Roh Moo-hyun into what local media dubbed an "integrated party" and elect its new leadership through a national convention next month.

But the plan encountered opposition from within the party, as Rep. Park Jie-won and others claimed that the DP should first elect its new leadership before merging into the envisioned new party. Park is said to be aiming to become the DP's next leader.

Such a merger is a sensitive issue for other current legislators seeking reelection because it could ultimately reduce their chances to win party tickets to run in next year's parliamentary elections.

In the last-ditch efforts to appease internal strife, Sohn met Sunday with former floor leader Park and reached an agreement to hold a joint convention with other liberal groups to establish a new party.

Under the agreement, the DP will form a joint body to prepare for a party convention slated for mid-December and elect a new leader by the end this year, officials said.

The worsening income gap between Korea's rich and poor and high youth unemployment are emerging as hot political issues for next year's elections in Asia's fourth-largest economy. The latest surveys show growing voter disenchantment with the Lee Myung-bak administration, known for business-friendly policies. Lee cannot seek re-election because South Korean law limits presidents to one five-year term. (Yonhap)