Lawmaker Rhee In-je, who quit the ruling Millennium Democratic Party, joined the United Liberal Democrats Tuesday, along with independent assemblyman Ahn Dong-seon and former lawmaker Yu Seung-Kyu. Rhee, who declared he would support Grand National Party presidential candidate Lee Hoi-chang, is expected to take over the position of acting president of the ULD at an executive meeting scheduled on Thursday.

At a press conference, Rhee said that this year's presidential election would determine the fate of the nation, and if a radical power were elected, the country would face economic failure, social unrest and security threats, suggesting that his criticism is targeted at MDP presidential hopeful Roh Mu-hyun. Rhee pledged that he would do the best he could for the campaign of the candidate he supports. The ULD will reportedly cooperate with the GNP in the election.

(Heo Yong-beom, heo@chosun.com )