President Roh Moo-hyun of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Thursday evening joined the Uri Party, which holds majority seats in the incoming National Assembly, said the presidential spokesman.  

Roh joined the Uri Party when he had dinner on Thursday evening with the party's current and former leaders at the Presidential Office. Roh signed his name to the party roster when Chairman of Uri Party Shin Ki-nam submitted an application form to the president, spokesman Yoon Tai-young said.

Thus, the Uri Party, formed by pro-Roh lawmakers last November, officially became the ruling party of the ROK.

Roh has had no party membership since he left the former ruling Millennium Democratic Party (MDP) last September. But he reiterated he would join the Uri Party at a strategically opportune time after the party was launched.

Roh's aides previously said the president would not assume any leading position in the party and noted that he had repeatedly told its members he would not meddle in internal matters and allow the leadership to take control of domestic politics, including political negotiations with opposition parties.

The Uri Party won the majority 152 seats in the upcoming 299-seat 17th National Assembly, which starts operation on June 7. The major opposition Grand National Party (GNP) slid to second largest with 121 seats from an apparent backlash over the impeachment of Roh Moo-hyun on charges of illegal electioneering, corruption and economic failure.

MDP, the former ruling party, suffered great loss for its leading role in the impeachment. It only grasped nine seats in the new parliament, diminishing to minor power.

Roh was reinstated by the final ruling of the Constitutional Court last Friday.

Roh indicated he would leave the day-to-day business of the Uri Party and the government to the leadership and the prime minister while focusing on a long-term reform agenda, eradication of corruption and social irregularities, national security, diplomacy and the economy.

Local media widely reported that Roh would conduct Cabinet reshuffle early next week.

(Xinhua News Agency May 21, 2004)