By Kim Sue-young
Staff Reporter
Rep. Kim Hong-up of the upstart Centrist United Democratic Party, second son of former President Kim Dae-jung, quit the party Wednesday.
Kim joined a preparatory committee launched by liberal groups to create a new party and field a single presidential candidate ahead of the Dec. 19 presidential election.
Gwangju Mayor Park Gwang-tae and Park Joon-yung, governor of South Jeolla Province, also gave up their party affiliation.
Rumors have it that the former president who has stressed a coalition of liberal bloc is controlling his son.
Kim Dae-jung is widely supported by people in the Jeolla provinces, his stronghold.
Kim Hong-up, however, denied the suspicion, insisting he has called for the grand coalition of liberal forces.
``Kim found out that residents in his local constituency demanded that the coalition be achieved,'' an aide to the lawmaker said. ``Besides, it was one of his pledges to achieve the coalition when he ran for the April 25 by-elections.''
Kim was elected as a lawmaker in the Muan-Sinan District on the ticket of the minor opposition Democratic Party, predecessor of the CUDP.
A confidant to the former president also denied the rumor, saying, ``Kim Dae-jung has just stressed that people wish for the grand coalition.''
The CUDP, which is suffering from the desertion of four lawmakers Tuesday, denounced Kim's sudden defection, calling it treachery. Those who stay in the party expressed regrets over Kim Dae-jung.
``The DP gave Kim Hong-up a full support when he stood for the election, but he repaid the kindness with defection,'' a CUDP official said.
It seems that the former president is trying to quarantine the party, which has opposed merging with other liberal groups, he added.
Despite consecutive desertions, Co-Chairman Park Sang-cheon of the CUDP sticks to the idea that he cannot join hands with the pro-government Uri Party which is linked to unpopular President Roh Moo-hyun.
Co-Chairman Kim Han-gill with the CUDP is threatening to leave the party with his nearly 20 followers in the party, unless Park yields his stubborn argument.
If Kim's group bolts from the party, it will likely be relegated to a minority party with less than 10 seats among 299 members in the unicameral Assembly.