South Korea's ruling New Korea Party (NKP) is heading for a major split which could deal a lethal blow to its chances in the presidential election on December 18th. The rift occurred on Wednesday when the NKP presidential candidate, Mr Lee Hoi-Chang, demanded that President Kim Young-Sam leave the party, accusing him of being a political has-been.
Internal party strife intensified yesterday with Kim loyalists calling indignantly for Mr Lee to bow out of the race, and Lee loyalists threatening to break away from the NKP and form their own party.
Mr Kim rushed to contain the damage, announcing through aides that he would today meet the veteran opposition leader, Mr Kim Dae-Jung, the front-runner for the election. The President also said he would meet Mr Lee tomorrow.
But with the election less than two months away, observers warned that if the party did not unify it would lose the election.
"Fast heading towards a split . . . showdown!" the Korea Herald said. "It will be difficult for the ruling party to win the upcoming presidential race, now in a hard showdown with a formidable opposition camp, if it fails to attain unity at an early date," the Korea Times said.
Mr Lee, a former Supreme Court judge, on Wednesday declared a "holy war" on the three Kims - the President, and the two leading candidates from the opposition, Mr Kim Dae-Jung and Mr Kim Jong-Pil.
On Thursday it was reported that Mr Kang Sam-Jae, who led a failed attempt to expose slush funds allegedly held by Mr Kim Dae-Jung, had promptly resigned as NKP secretary general.
The President, who is honorary NKP chairman, returned Mr Kang's resignation, but seven others also stepped down in a huff.