By Yoo Dong-ho
Staff Reporter

The pro-government Uri Party officially raised its flag on Tuesday during a massive convention at the Gymnastics Gymnasium in Olympic Park in southern Seoul with some 15,000 party members and foreign envoys attending.

The party, regarded as the virtual ruling party as it comprises 47 lawmakers who strongly support President Roh Moo-hyun, declared its resolve to win the upcoming general elections in April next year.

It also vowed efforts to push forward political reform under the banner of a four-point party platform focusing on new politics, national wealth, social harmony and peace on the Korean peninsula.

The party elected Rep. Kim One-ki, former president of Donga University Lee Tae-il and human right activist Lee Kyung-sook as its tentative leaders.

``Our party wants to establish an upstanding country, ensuring clean politics while putting an end to the collusion between politics and businesses as well as age-old regional animosities,’’ Kim said in a statement.

The official launch of the new party came 52 days after 38 lawmakers who cut their political ties with Roh bolted from the Millennium Democratic Party.

In the opposition-dominated National Assembly, the Uri Party plans to back Roh and is determined to gain as many seats as possible in the next general elections to shore up the beleaguered head of state during the rest of his term.

Roh sent a congratulatory message to the party and expressed his support saying, ``The new party should act as a powerful engine for political reform and national unity.’’

``I hope the Uri Party will develop into a sound political force which can gain people’s support in a time when the country is faced with growing public concern about politics. Now, public anticipation for change is greater than ever and this time should serve as a history-making moment for political reform,’’ Roh said.

Roh added, ``Clean and transparent politics are the current of the times we cannot resist, and I hope people from all walks of life should work together to eradicate regionalism and improve the inefficient electorate system.’’

The party also unveiled a code of ethics and 100 basic policies that will obligate its party members to comply with transparent account auditing and publicize a list of those who donate over 2 million won of political funds at one time.

It also vowed to stand against lawmakers’ privilege of exemption from liability for politically motivated and inappropriate speeches.

yoodh@koreatimes.co.kr