By Shim Jae-yun
Staff Reporter

President Roh Moo-hyun, now facing an impeachment motion by opposition parties, on Thursday said he would step down if the pro-government Uri Party did not do well in the April 15 general elections.

``I will make a political decision in accordance with the outcome in the forthcoming general elections as it will reflect the people’s judgment (of me),’’ Roh said during a press conference at Chong Wa Dae. However, Roh rejected an opposition demand for an apology for his violation of the election law for which he is facing impeachment.

He went on to say that it has become inevitable for him to stake his presidency, as he has already pledged to appeal for the people’s confidence in him as president and that the opposition parties have pressed him to resign.

Roh did not elaborate, however, on how he would tie the election results with his decision on whether to stay in office or step down.

``Issues on the process and specific content are too serious to be mentioned today at this conference. I will disclose those details at an appropriate time,’’ he said.

``The decision will include whether I will resign or not depending on the election results,’’ he added.

He said he will make public his decision when he joins Uri Party, which consists mainly of his supporters. ``Regarding the matter of my joining the party, I will consult party members when the special inquiry into my relatives ends,’’ he said.

Roh apologized for a series of corruption charges involving his relatives and key aides, including his elder brother Roh Kyon-pyong who allegedly accepted 30 million won ($25,000) in illegal funds from a business.

But he refused to comply with the opposition call for him to apologize for violating the election law in making a statement in support of the Uri Party, which the opposition decried as a failure to remain neutral in campaigning ahead of the April 15 legislative polls.

``I can apologize even twice or three times if the people so desire. But I would not do so just to avoid the impeachment motion and or for political haggling,’’ he said.

Roh’s statement further infuriated the opposition parties, strengthening their resolve to impeach the embattled head of state.

The opposition wariness grew further given Roh’s linkage of the elections outcome to his presidency in hopes it may help him muster support from progressive voters.

He urged the opposition parties to withdraw the move to impeach him, saying his alleged election law violation does not constitute sufficient grounds.