The head of the party backing ousted president Roh Moo-hyun proposed yesterday that he meet the leader of the main opposition party to discuss withdrawing the unprecedented impeachment motion that has thrown South Korea into political turmoil.

　　Public support for the small, liberal Uri Party has surged since the two main opposition parties impeached Roh on March 12. But as the country gears up for April 15 parliamentary elections, Uri Party chief Chung Dong-young said political fighting over the move has divided the nation and should end.

　　"I will stand at the forefront to do anything I can to help the opposition withdraw its impeachment," Chung said, proposing a meeting with Park Geun-hye, chairwoman of the main opposition Grand National Party.

　　But park rebuffed Chung's offer, saying the matter should be decided in the Constitutional Court. The court held its first full public hearing last week and has six months to rule on whether to formally oust Roh or reinstate him.

　　Chung's push was seen as an attempt to divert attention from a gaffe that dealt his Uri Party a blow last week. Chung said older voters should "stay home and rest" and let younger voters decide the election. His remark angered elderly voters in this deeply Confucian society that cherishes seniority.

　　Nearly seven out of 10 South Koreans say they oppose the impeachment, giving the Uri Party a boost ahead of next week's elections. Roh is not a member of the Uri Party, but has said he plans to join. Yet, Roh has also vowed to step down if the Uri Party fares poorly in the polls.

　　Candidates for the April 15 poll stumped at parks and nature preserves around the nation yesterday seeking support from people who were planting trees on National Arbor Day.

　　A total of 1,175 candidates are competing for 243 seats. Voters choose both the candidate and the party. An additional 56 seats are distributed to the political parties according to their share of the ballot. The Uri has only 49 seats in the current legislature, compared with 137 seats controlled by the main opposition Grand National Party and 61 belonging to the opposition Millennium Democratic Party.

　　Since taking office in February 2003, Roh has grappled with a hostile National Assembly.

　　The wrangling came to a head when the opposition-dominated parliament impeached Roh, accusing him of violating election laws when he called for support for the Uri Party while responding to a reporter's question.

　　By law, government officials are banned from campaigning for a political party.

　　The election watchdog ruled the infraction was not serious enough for a criminal charge, but the opposition pushed for impeachment.

　　That effort, however, seems to have backfired. While support for Uri surged, backing for the opposition plummeted.

　　(The Associated Press)