When the Inter-Korea Summit Talks, which was planned for the 28th of this month, was delayed to October, the Grand National Party (GNP) officially proposed, “Hand over the Summit to the next term’s government.”
GNP’s Inter-Korea Summit Talks Task Force (TF) organized an urgent meeting on the morning of the 20th and intensively discussed the delay of the Summit and announced the following policy declaration.
Lee Joo Young, Political Chairperson of the TF, maintained, “If the flood in the North Korea is sizable and if restoration is inevitably a big issue, then under these circumstances, the place, time, and agenda of the Summit Talks should be reviewed. It is reasonable to hand over the Summit Talks to the next administration.”
Kang Jae Sup, the chairman of GNP, also said, “If the Summit Talks is to be delayed until October, why not hand it over to the next administration? President Roh noted that the talks could be passed over to the succeeding administration or if the current administration is to undertake it, then Uri Party, after the Presidential Elections, should cooperate with the elected President and work together.”
Spokesperson Na Kyung Won said, “Holding the Summit Talks so close to the elections is an effort to cast an influence on the elections. In the situation where the Summit Talks is delayed already, it is better for the subsequent administration to take over the talks.”
Spokesperson Na ordered the Summit Talks agreed between North and South Korea to be transferred to the next administration, “Since there is not too much left in the term of office, rather than the current administration doing something they cannot take responsibility for and carry out, the next administration will be conducive to an effective Summit.”
Chun Ho Sun, Blue House Spokesperson, said through a briefing, “The reason for delaying the Summit Talks is to welcome guests after the flood disaster is speedily restored. I think there have been cases of speculation regarding this. I do the thoughts of GNP is a mere wrong guess.”
The Grand National Party which held its elections for the Presidential candidate, after finally confirming its candidate, plans to increase its level of criticism by saying that the upcoming Summit Talks is a product of President Roh Moo Hyun and its administration and pan-ruling parties’ political maneuvering.
