In a KBS radio interview from Daejon, Friday, Rhee In-je apologized for disregarding the results of a Grand National Party internal vote to select its presidential candidate in 1997, and organizing an independent bid that spoiled Lee Hoi-chang's chances of election. Rhee said that at the time the GNP candidate was criticized and he felt he could not be elected, and thought it time for the younger generation to take charge. Rhee's presidential run split the vote of the then New Korea Party allowing Kim Dae-jung to be elected.

Analysts say the apology may be preparing the way for Rhee to fully support Lee. The former Millennium Democratic Party lawmaker and current acting president of the United Liberal Democrats called the MDP presidential candidate Roh Moo-hyun, an extreme radical who would bring danger to the country if elected.

(Choi Byung-mook, bmchoi@chosun.com )