Former GNP chairman Lee set to stand

Former chairman of the Grand National Party Lee Hoi-chang appears to have made up his mind to run for the presidency for the third time, despite growing opposition from the conservative party.

An aide of his made the first official comment concerning the still-popular politician`s possible entry into the race yesterday.

"People will understand the former chairman`s will and his goals once he joins the race," said Lee Heung-joo in a radio interview. "Lee is a man of action. He will not fail the public again."

"But he will not be replacing Lee Myung-bak. The former chairman is mortified by the expectation that he will try to take over the GNP candidate`s position," he added.

The former chairman is to make his decision official by next week.

Lee Hoi-chang retired from politics in 2002, after two consecutive defeats to presidents Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun.

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Although Lee Hoi-chang is likely to run as an independent if he joins the race, the GNP is concerned that he will endanger the party`s return to power by splitting the conservative vote.

Rumors surrounding the senior politician`s third run for the presidency have already shaken up voter sentiment, with frontrunner Lee Myung-bak`s approval rating falling by 10 percent on average in recent polls.

A total of 39 first-term GNP lawmakers yesterday held a joint-press conference, making clear that they will firmly back Lee Myung-bak.

"We hope that the former chairman will make the right decision for the sake of the nation and the party," they said. "We pledge not to be influenced by conflicting interests, and to firmly back our only candidate Lee Myung-bak until election day."

Even former chairwoman Park Geun-hye decided against supporting the former chairman, despite her remaining hard feelings against the frontrunner.

"We will go by the rules. The rule is that the GNP`s only candidate is Lee Myung-bak who was elected through a fair primary," said Rep. Kim Moo-sung, who is close to Park.

"Lee Hoi-chang led the party to defeat twice. He must come to the realization that the public will not approve of his third run," said GNP spokesperson Park Hyong-joon. "His climb in popularity is only a temporary effect due to people continuing to regard him as a GNP candidate."

According to a joint survey by Korea Search and MBC, Lee Myung-bak saw a decrease in approval rating to 40.3 percent, while Lee Hoi-chang garnered 25.1 percent. The former chairman pushed past the United New Democratic Party candidate Chung Dong-young who ranked third with 13.1 percent.

But more than half of the respondents were seen to be against Lee Hoi-chang`s run for presidency, with 55.8 percent in opposition and 37.9 percent in favor.

Lee Bang-ho, the GNP secretary general and a close aide to the party candidate, continued to press Lee Hoi-chang concerning allegations that he and his confidants misappropriated a large chunk of illegal campaign funds in 2002.

"The pro-government camp is trying to put Lee Myung-bak to the trial board by attacking his every little fault. What will happen if a candidate of such financial improbity enters the race?" he said during a radio interview yesterday.

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On Thursday, Lee Bang-ho claimed that the senior politician may have deceived the public and members of his own party by embezzling funds.

In 2002, the GNP reported to the National Election Commission that it used 22.6 billion won to fund its presidential campaign. The amount did not surpass the legal limit of 34.18 billion won ($37.6 million). But, in 2003, the prosecution conducted an investigation, and discovered that the GNP received up to 82.3 billion won in illegal funds.

Lee Hoi-chang admitted receiving the illegal funds and said he would take full responsibility but authorities decided against taking legal action against him.

Lee Hoi-chang`s aide emphasized that the past suspicions will not become a stumbling block for the former chairman.

"The funds were the responsibility of all party members, not the sole responsibility of Lee`s," said Lee Heung-joo. "It is for the public to decide whether to hold a grudge against him or not."

Some associates of Lee Hoi-chang have urged him to return to politics, citing the need for the GNP to come up with a spare candidate with the possibility of Lee Myung-bak being forced to drop out of the race. Lee Myung-bak has been facing growing problems due to his alleged involvement in a stock manipulation case of bankrupt firm BBK. The scheduled return of Lee`s former business partner Kim Kyung-jun added further pressure to the frontrunner.



By Shin Hae-in



(hayney@heraldm.com)