By Yoon Won-sup
Staff Reporter

The Millennium Democratic Party (MDP) on Monday faced the distinct possibility of breaking up in a power struggle triggered by calls for the withdrawal of the impeachment motion against President Roh Moo-hyun. The majority Grand National Party (GNP) has already been engulfed by an internal strife of its own over the same issue.

Senior MDP lawmaker Kim Kyung-jae, who is a key ally of party chairman Chough Soon-hyun, issued an ultimatum for anti-impeachment lawmakers, telling Chu Mi-ae, leader of the internal rebellion challenging Chough, and her supporters to leave the party. Three weeks ahead of the April 15 general elections, the GNP and MDP suffered a nosedive in public approval ratings after jointly railroading the Roh impeachment motion in the Assembly.

``Those who disagree with the impeachment should leave the MDP,’’ Kim said in a news conference. ``Rep. Chu should also leave.’’

Kim’s remarks came as Chu, called Joan of Arc for her aggressive and outspoken image, is leading the rebellion against the leadership, stepping down from the party’s highest decision-making body, the supreme council, last Friday. An hour earlier, however, Rep. Sul Hoon shaved his head, calling for the resignation of 193 lawmakers who supported the Roh impeachment drive.

``Our party will pursue coalitions with other forces of the same mind on the party line,’’ he said. According to party officials, Kim referred to Chung Mong-joon, who broke his alliance with Roh Moo-hyun a day before the Dec. 19, 2002 presidential election and left the political arena.

Sul started a hunger strike after shaving his head, not ruling out the possibility that he may leave the party.

He and young party officials argued that Chu should replace party chairman Chough.

However, Chough rebuffed a rumor that he will step down from the top post and reconfirmed his intention to go ahead with the impeachment bid.

``I will accept responsibility for the outcome of the upcoming elections,’’ Chough said.

With the exit door wide open for dissident officials, however, the 62-member party may face a great exodus.

Following the passage of the impeachment motion in the National Assembly, MDP-affiliated politicians switched their partisan allegiance to join the pro-government Uri Party.

The party’s old guard has insisted on a two-leader system of the supreme council, co-headed by both Chough and Chu; a group of young officials argued Chu should lead it alone.

Meanwhile, several senior GNP officials have made a turnabout to support the withdrawal of the impeachment motion against Roh.

Rep. Hong Joon-pyo proposed a political settlement of the impeachment motion, which is waiting a final ruling by the Constitutional Court.

``I think the new GNP leader to be selected on Tuesday and President Roh will make a joint apology before withdrawing the impeachment case,’’ he said. Kim Moon-soo, a candidate for the GNP chairmanship race, also aired his intention to withdraw the motion, should he be elected to lead the majority party.

yoonwonsup@koreatimes.co.kr