Lawmakers of the main opposition Grand National Party (GNP) have reacted negatively to the possible return of Lee Hoi-chang, the party's former chairman who unsuccessfully ran as their presidential candidate in 1997 and 2002. In December 2002, Lee quit his six-year political career after being narrowly defeated by Roh Moo-hyun, who ran on the ticket of the now-defunct Millennium Democratic Party (MDP), by a margin of about 570,000 votes, or 2.3 percent of eligible votes cast.
The 71-year-old former chairman of the GNP, however, recently made somewhat controversial remarks, which were viewed by many local news media outlets and politicians as indicating his willingness to resume political activities, possibly by announcing his bid for the GNP's intra-party contest ahead of next year's presidential race. In a lecture given at Kyung Hee University in Seoul last Wednesday, Lee said he would be willing to face more hardship, quoting Admiral Yi Sun-sin of the Choson Kingdom. The admiral a national hero, defended Korea against a Japanese invasion in the 16th century.
After the lecture, however, Lee denied any connection between his remarks and his intentions for next year's presidential election. Rep. Lee Ke-jin, former spokesman of the GNP, posted an article on his Web site Monday, criticizing Lee's possible resumption of political activities.
``Although the former chairman should be held responsible for the two consecutive election defeats, I still respect him,'' the lawmaker said. ``There have been rumors and news reports on his possible return to politics, but I hope they're not true.'' The lawmaker's remarks came on the same day that some 10 ardent supporters of the former GNP chairman visited the office of Rep.
Choi Ku-sik, also of the GNP, to protest the lawmaker's sharp criticism of Lee Hoi-chang in the National Assembly. Last Friday, Choi said Lee, a former justice of the Supreme Court, caused the GNP to suffer two unprecedented defeats in the presidential elections due to his own flaws and defects. Rep.
Houng Moon-pyo of the GNP, who is considered one of Lee's confidants, has given several interviews, hinting at Lee's possible return, especially after North Korea's first-ever nuclear test on Oct. 9. After seeing the strong backlash against Lee's return, the lawmaker, however, said in a radio interview last Saturday that it would take more time for Lee to make a final decision on his future.
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