Posted on 12/19/2002 11:02:43 PM PST by tallhappy
A radical takes over the Blue House in Seoul
In a neck-and-neck race Kim Dae-jung protege Roh Moo-hyun won Korea's presidential election, to the alarm of governments in the US and Japan
By Rick Chu
Friday, Dec 20, 2002,Page 9
Radical left-wing and pro-unification reformer Roh Moo-hyun was elected president of South Korea by a slim margin yesterday -- despite the last-minute political U-turn of his ally, Chung Mong-joon. The US, Japan and other countries were stunned by the results, but it is not surprising that the polarized voters in South Korea made such a choice. Chung's withdrawal from Roh's camp did have an impact, but it was not significant enough to cost Roh the election as previously expected.
The 56-year-old Roh was born in 1946 to a poor farming family in Kimhae, located in the suburbs of Pusan. He graduated from Pusan Commercial High School in 1966 and passed the National Judiciary Examination in 1975. After more than a year as a judge, he quit to begin his private law practice. He became a famous human-rights lawyer after handling several student activist cases. As a high-school graduate who became a lawyer through hard study and made a name for himself, Roh has become an idol of Korean youth -- especially those from poor rural households who cannot enter college.
In 1988, Roh joined Kim Young-sam's camp and was elected a National Assemblyman for Pusan. The National Assembly established a special committee later that year to investigate corruption involving former president Chun Doo-hwan. Thanks to live TV broadcasts, Roh's powerful and logically clear interpellation during the investigation immediately brought him to prominence, making him a political superstar. The audience nationwide cheered him when he angrily threw his wooden nameplate at Chun during an interpellation.
In early 1990, when Kim was bought off by Roh Tae-woo and defected to the then ruling party with his supporters, Roh Moo-hyun left Kim's camp in contempt. After losing several National Assembly elections, he strove to improve his relations with local factions and took the initiative to resolve regional grievances, winning the support of local people in Cholla Province. He then joined Kim Dae-jung's camp and became vice chairman of the then Democratic Party -- which has now become the Millennium Democratic Party (MDP). He also served as minister of maritime affairs and fisheries in the Kim Dae-jung administration from August 2000 to March last year, which until now has been his only administrative experience.
In the ruling MDP's party primaries, Roh Moo-hyun once raised a number of controversial slogans -- such as "nationalize major newspapers," "[push for] the withdrawal of US troops stationed in South Korea," and "abolish the National Security Law." Both the media and the conservatives were stunned by such extremist stances. But Roh stirred up a "Roh fever" nationwide when he was officially nominated by the MDP at the end of April. Surpassing his opponent Lee Hoi-chang, Roh became the most popular presidential candidate.
At that time, both the US and Japanese embassies in South Korea made inquiries about Roh's background and true intentions. Some Japanese diplomats even said that they dared not ask about his global views and his views about Japan, because he once commented that "a key factor in East Asia's security is the resurrection of Japanese militarism" -- a remark that seriously offended the Japanese. Meanwhile, the US obtained intelligence indicating that Roh is even more pro-North Korea than Kim Dae-jung. The incumbent president's "Sunshine Policy" is already a headache for the US. Roh will certainly make the US even more uncomfortable.
Roh's radical style does not stop here. During an interpellation session at the National Assembly, he made a strong proposal for breaking up local conglomerates, demanding that the government buy up their stocks and distribute them among workers. He also told protesters during a labor-capital dispute that they only needed to abide by the law when there was justice, and that they did not need to abide by the law when justice was absent. That forced upon people's attention his radical left-wing style. To change his image to that of a radical reformist, he later denied or revised many of his past remarks.
Roh's stark ideology is also reflected in his attitude toward the press. He detests the "domineering" mainstream newspapers. Following a lawsuit against the nation's biggest newspaper Chosun Daily, Roh vowed to declare war on the press. Insisting that he would not compromise. He still refuses to give interviews to the daily even now.
His supporters include many Internet-savvy people in their 20s and 30s, most of whom are radical anti-US intellectuals. After his failure in the National Assembly election two years ago, he received a lot of media sympathy and become something of a media darling. Tens of thousands of young supporters formed support groups to spread his political ideas and attract more followers on the Internet.
The young pro-reform forces admire his righteous, sincere and frank personality which makes him fearless in the face of authority and willing to speak for disadvantaged groups. During his tenure as minister of maritime affairs and fisheries, he even publicly criticized his ministry staff for being "muddle-headed."
For South Koreans, the general assessment of Roh is that he is a person with attentiveness, willpower, the ability to survive and a strong historical awareness. He is also a very deft political tactician. These characteristics won him recognition from a majority of constituents.
Following this "conservatism vs. reform" war, however, Roh's victory will certainly have an impact on Northeast Asia. Japan will probably halt its policy of improving ties with North Korea while the US may adopt a wait-and-see attitude or even ignore Roh deliberately until the new president revises his attitude and shows support for US policy. He will follow Kim Dae-jung's "Sunshine Policy," showing conciliation, tolerance and support toward the northern neighbor.
But his radical, left-wing, anti-US and nationalist stance will bring him many obstacles and challenges both at home and abroad. He once said, "The country will see no hope if regional grudges are not rooted out." This is why he has spared no efforts in breaking through the barriers formed by South Korea's regional grievances. However, long-standing feuds created by partisan strife throughout history are by no means easy to eradicate without efforts spanning several generations. Roh the trailblazer may end up offending both Kyongsang and Cholla provinces.
A new era led by Roh has now begun in South Korea. His leadership presages plenty of uncertainties both at home and abroad, for both the Korean Peninsula and the whole of East Asia.
Whether bringing Roh's radical style to the Blue House is a blessing or a mishap, the next five years will show.
Rick Chu (¦¶¥ßº³) is editor in chief of the Taipei Times.
TRANSLATED BY EDDY CHANG AND JACKIE LIN
Radical leftist next Korean leader
PRESIDENT-ELECT: Roh Moo-hyun wants a more equal relationship with the US and more dialogue with North Korea; he also thinks `Japanese militarism' is a threat
AP
Friday, Dec 20, 2002,Page 1
Pro-government candidate Roh Moo-hyun declared victory in South Korea's presidential election yesterday, saying he would work for a "new era of dialogue and harmony."
Roh's campaign rival, opposition leader Lee Hoi-chang, conceded defeat. With 85.9 percent of the vote counted, Roh had an insurmountable lead of 2.3 percent, television stations said.
A Roh presidency could affect relations with the US, a chief ally, and North Korea. Roh has said he wants a more "equal" relationship with Washington, and advocates dialogue with his communist neighbor.
"Thank you my dear fellow countrymen, who have elected me as president," Roh said in a speech at his party headquarters. His supporters clapped and cheered, and some danced with balloons in the street.
"I will try to open a new era of dialogue and harmony," Roh said in an overture to the opposition.
"I will try to become a president, not just for the people who supported me, but also for the people who opposed me in the election," said a joyful Roh, who appeared to be on the verge of tears.
Turnout among the 35 million eligible voters was 70.2 percent, 10.5 percent lower than in the 1997 presidential election.
The vote took place amid a surge in anti-US sentiment, fueled by the recent acquittals in US military trials of two American soldiers whose armored vehicle hit and killed two South Korean teenage girls in June in a road accident. South Korea's relations with its top ally have emerged as a key election issue.
Roh supports President Kim Dae-jung's "sunshine" policy of engaging North Korea, and believes dialogue is the best way to resolve concerns over North Korea's nuclear weapons programs. But Lee, 67, had said Kim's policy was a failure, and preferred a tougher approach more in line with that of US President George W. Bush.
Kim's five-year term ends in February. Under South Korean law, he is barred from seeking re-election.
Many South Koreans believe Bush, who has ruled out talks with Pyongyang unless it abandons its nuclear development, is an obstacle to reconciliation with North Korea. Roh, who wants South Korea to be less dependent on Washington, benefited from growing unhappiness with the 37,000 US soldiers stationed in the South.
"Bush is a trigger-happy man," said Kim Han-sik, a 32-year-old voter. "We need a leader who can say no when we think we should say no. Our country has been too subservient to the United States."
Roh's campaign had appeared in peril when a key backer and coalition partner withdrew his support late Wednesday.
Chung Mong-joon, the popular architect of South Korea's successful co-hosting of the soccer World Cup this year, said he was upset over a comment Roh made Wednesday.
"If the United States and North Korea start a fight, we should dissuade them," 55-year-old Roh had said.
Chung, a former presidential candidate who dropped out of the race to support Roh, said the United States was a close South Korean ally and had no reason to start a fight with North Korea.
But local media, citing Chung officials, said the soccer chief was angry after Roh indicated he would not back Chung for the presidency in 2007. Chung had counted on Roh's backing.
In recent weeks, tens of thousands of young South Koreans have taken to the streets to protest the acquittals of the US soldiers and demand more South Korean jurisdiction over US troops in their country.
The soldiers were acquitted of negligent homicide charges, but many South Koreans believed the trial was unfair. US military officials apologized repeatedly for the deaths.
But it will be a long five years.
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