Unification Chief Hints at Returning to Uri Party


By Lee Jin-woo
Staff Reporter



Chung Dong-young

Unification Minister Chung Dong-young said Sunday he would prefer a two-term presidential system with a vice president instead of the current single five-year term.
In an interview with the local broadcaster SBS on ``Chusok,’’ or Korean Thanksgiving Day, the prominent presidential candidate for the governing Uri Party said the current single-term presidential system seems to have already run its course, adding it was initially aimed at preventing dictators from unlawfully extending their presidencies.

``I’ve expressed my personal view that a four-year presidential system, in which the incumbent is eligible for a second term, is desirable,’’ said Minister Chung. ``I also believe a vice president is required, instead of the current prime minister system, to ease lingering regional antagonism in Korean politics. I currently have no reason to change my opinion.’’

Regarding his return to the ruling party, he said he is willing to go back to politics anytime despite the harsh conditions his party faces.

``Technically speaking, a minister is also a politician. But I’m ready to help my party any time, if it needs my support. I’m not going to avoid adverse situations.’’

In recent polls for next presidency, the former MBC anchorman has been the sole member of the governing party to make it into the top five. In a nationwide survey by the Hankook Ilbo, sister paper of The Korea Times, in August, he ranked fourth with 6.2 percent, followed by former presidential candidate Lee Hoi-chang of the largest opposition Grand National Party (GNP) with 3.6 percent.

The minister, who returned from last week’s visit to Pyongyang for the 16th round of inter-Korean Cabinet talks, said the reduction of military forces in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) bisecting the Korean Peninsula will be discussed between defense ministers of the two Koreas in the future.

``Two Koreas agreed to hold a meeting between their defense ministers in the agreement of the inter-Korean talks,’’ said Chung. ``The reduction of military forces is our top priority as it’s a precondition to promote a peaceful atmosphere on the peninsula.’’

Regarding the government’s recent involvement in the tourism business at Mt. Kumgang, which is run by Hyundai Asan from the South, Chung said it was not an intervention, but a necessary mediation for the symbolic inter-Korean business.

``A lot of taxes have been spent for the symbolic tourism business,’’ said the minister. ``We have guaranteed Hyundai Asan all rights to manage the business freely and we will continue. But it is natural for the government to mediate between the North and the company if there is any trouble, which needs our help.’’

Hyundai Asan, a business arm of the Hyundai Group, has had de facto exclusive rights to organize South Korean tourists’ trips to the North, since the late Chung Ju-yung, founder of the group, initiated the project in 1998.

But relations have turned sour recently after Hyun sacked Hyundai Asan CEO Kim Yoon-kyu for his alleged embezzlement. Kim has participated in the tourism project from the beginning with late chairman Chung and has built close ties with North Korean officials.

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