By Shim Jae-yun
Staff Reporter

Despite growing resistance from all quarters, President Roh Moo-hyun is adamant on his plan to name former South Kyongsang Province governor Kim Hyuck-kyu as his candidate for the country’s next prime minister.

Roh is set to appeal for the ruling Uri Party members to support his plan during a dinner meeting with them at Chong Wa Dae on Saturday.

But the dispute is expected to intensify further as an increasing number of Uri Party lawmakers-elect have begun to raise opposition, darkening the prospect for the passage of Kim’s designation through the incoming 17th National Assembly.

Under relevant law, the passage needs support from the majority of lawmakers of the 299-seat National Assembly. The Uri Party currently has 152 members.

Wary of controversy, former presidential chief of staff, Moon Hee-sang, underlined that the stance towards Kim’s naming will not change and added there will be no alternative candidate.

He even threatened that ``party leaders will face punishment unless they fail to appropriately address the matter.’’

But some progressive Uri Party members continued to defy the move, describing it as ``unilateral and authoritarian’’ without prior consultation with the party.

Sources said 30 to 40 lawmakers-elect of the ruling party are opposed to Roh’s plan to designate Kim.

``It is totally improper for Chong Wa Dae to call for our support as it had failed to make consultation in advance,’’ said Rep. Song Young-gil of the Uri Party.

Party chairman Shin Ki-nam and floor leader Chon Jung-bae have been eager to persuade the resistant members to back Kim’s naming.

Still, the situation has remained uncertain, with most members maintaining they would wait until Kim’s confirmation hearing is wrapped up.

The opposition parties expressed confidence that an increasing number of ruling party lawmakers will cast nay votes against Kim in the process of conducting the confirmation hearing.

Regarding Roh’s reason for sticking to Kim, sources said the president has been eager to flex his muscles as the virtual leader of the ruling party since he had been suffering due to the gigantic opposition party before the April 15 general elections, which culminated in the unprecedented presidential impeachment.

Roh also had to see his home minister and closest confidant, Kim Doo-kwan, leave his side due to attacks from the opposition last year.

He has been desperate to prepare a foothold in the Southeastern Kyongsang Provinces where his party fared poorly, garnering only one seat in the parliamentary polls.

jayshim@koreatimes.co.kr