ID :
100744
Sun, 01/17/2010 - 22:36
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/100744
The shortlink copeid
Confidants of late liberal president form new party
SEOUL, Jan. 17 (Yonhap) -- Supporters of former liberal President Roh Moo-hyun
launched a new political party Sunday, pledging to accomplish decentralization of
national wealth and development, the key goals sought by the late leader.
Roh, a human rights lawyer-turned politician, stepped down as president in early
2008 at the end of a single five-year term. A few months later, he committed
suicide by jumping off a cliff near his hometown amid a widening corruption
investigation into his family and aides.
Roh himself was not involved in any wrongdoing, but his family was alleged to
have received millions of dollars from a local businessman. Roh's suicide led to
an outpouring of public grief, with many people believing the corruption probe
was unusually harsh.
The inauguration of the new party, tentatively named the People's Participation
Party, comes as the incumbent administration of President Lee Myung-bak is at
odds with political rivals over a Roh government-led plan to move a dozen
government ministries and agencies out of Seoul.
The Lee government has recently announced an alternative plan, proposing to build
instead a new "business-science" city with focus on green growth and
environmentally friendly industries.
At a ceremony marking the inauguration of the new party at a Seoul gymnasium,
former Unification Minister Lee Jae-jung was elected to lead the new party,
joined by some of Roh's former closest aides, including his former secretary Chun
Ho-seon.
"We will do our best in doing what is right for the country," Chun told about
4,000 people who attended the ceremony. "Our first goal is to win in the upcoming
regional elections."
It's unclear how the new party's future will fare but it will face its first
major challenge in early June when South Korea holds local elections for mayors
and governors.
Roh strove during his time in office to undo the polarization of wealth,
authoritarianism and regionalism that have plagued South Korea, while also
pushing for reconciliation with North Korea.
hayney@yna.co.kr
(END)
launched a new political party Sunday, pledging to accomplish decentralization of
national wealth and development, the key goals sought by the late leader.
Roh, a human rights lawyer-turned politician, stepped down as president in early
2008 at the end of a single five-year term. A few months later, he committed
suicide by jumping off a cliff near his hometown amid a widening corruption
investigation into his family and aides.
Roh himself was not involved in any wrongdoing, but his family was alleged to
have received millions of dollars from a local businessman. Roh's suicide led to
an outpouring of public grief, with many people believing the corruption probe
was unusually harsh.
The inauguration of the new party, tentatively named the People's Participation
Party, comes as the incumbent administration of President Lee Myung-bak is at
odds with political rivals over a Roh government-led plan to move a dozen
government ministries and agencies out of Seoul.
The Lee government has recently announced an alternative plan, proposing to build
instead a new "business-science" city with focus on green growth and
environmentally friendly industries.
At a ceremony marking the inauguration of the new party at a Seoul gymnasium,
former Unification Minister Lee Jae-jung was elected to lead the new party,
joined by some of Roh's former closest aides, including his former secretary Chun
Ho-seon.
"We will do our best in doing what is right for the country," Chun told about
4,000 people who attended the ceremony. "Our first goal is to win in the upcoming
regional elections."
It's unclear how the new party's future will fare but it will face its first
major challenge in early June when South Korea holds local elections for mayors
and governors.
Roh strove during his time in office to undo the polarization of wealth,
authoritarianism and regionalism that have plagued South Korea, while also
pushing for reconciliation with North Korea.
hayney@yna.co.kr
(END)
