Word: roh
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...often turbulent years since it was founded, South Korea has survived a war with Communist North Korea, two coups and the assassination of a President. Last week South Koreans experienced something new: a peaceful transfer of power. Declaring that an era of democracy was about to begin, Roh Tae Woo, a former general, became his country's President in a solemn 45- minute ceremony...
...feud between opposition leaders, Kim Young Sam, 60, might have become President of South Korea. Though Kim and his longtime rival, Kim Dae Jung, 62, together drew 55% of the votes in December's presidential election, Government Candidate Roh Tae Woo, 55, was able to win with just 37% of the total. Kim Young Sam showed his contrition last week by stepping down as head of the Reunification Democratic Party, the main opposition group. He said the move was aimed at promoting unity among antigovernment forces in National Assembly elections, which have been scheduled for this spring. Kim Dae Jung...
Though their concessions were painfully apt, neither Kim backed away from charges that Roh won by cheating. Kim Dae Jung, who finished third with 27% of the vote, seemed especially bitter: "It's utterly incomprehensible that I, who was able to mobilize millions of people at my campaign rallies, should have been defeated." A more conciliatory Kim Young Sam, who drew 28%, said his party would work with Roh to revise laws for National Assembly elections. The offer seemed aimed at repairing Kim's credibility as an effective political force. Said Lee Chul, an opposition National Assembly member...
Meanwhile, Roh Tae Woo moved confidently into his new role as President- elect. To help strengthen South Korea's relations with Japan, the former general met with Shintaro Abe, secretary-general of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party, and chatted by phone with Japanese Prime Minister Noboru Takeshita. Roh promised to seek improved relations with China after he takes office on Feb. 25. Any warming between the two nations could reduce tensions between Seoul and Communist North Korea, a staunch Beijing ally...
...Roh promised to hold a national vote of confidence after next September's Olympic Games in Seoul and to step down if he lost the plebiscite. Pressing his theme of national reconciliation, he prayed with Buddhist monks and met with Presbyterian leaders. Roh delayed a meeting with Stephen Cardinal Kim Sou Hwan at Seoul's Myongdong Cathedral, where a band of students was demonstrating against the election. He worked hard to keep his campaign image of the ordinary man, urging a delegation of garbage collectors to call him Mister instead of the customary Your Excellency. But his ultimate sacrifice...