National Unity 21 held its official launching ceremony at Chungmoo Stadium in Daejeon, Tuesday, attended by some 10,000 members and selected Representative Chung Mong-joon as its presidential candidate and leader of the party. In an acceptance speech Chung said now was the time for a young leader with a new view of history and politics to come forward. He noted that a change in government without political reform would end up repeating the vicious circle of a simple reversal of ruling and opposition parties, and political revenge.

Chung continued that the NU 21 was not only a party for the 2002 presidential election, but one for reformists to lead in the 21st century. He said his goals as president would be to promote economic growth, fair distribution, anti-corruption, peace on the peninsula, and the well being of society. Chung pledging that he will devolve the Ministry of Education's control over local education authorities for the liberalization of education.

NU 21 will form an election committee immediately to begin campaigning for Chung. (Heo Yong-beom, heo@chosun.com )