European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - August 14, 1988, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Swiss bib new current of democracy in South Korea by Barry Renfrew associated press Orty years after its creation and 35 years after a devastating War South Korea is trying to end decades of authoritarian Rule and build a stable democracy to match its colossal economic achievements. South Korea founded on aug. 15, 1948, has become one of the most modern and rapidly expanding economic Powers in Asia but its politics have not changed As quickly. Despite Liberal reforms in the last year a powerful elite of government bureaucrats military commanders and business leaders still dominates the nation As it has for most of South korean history. Political leaders analysts intellectuals and others agree the nation must build an enduring democratic system and stabilize its turbulent politics if it is to find Domestic peace and continue to modernize and grow. The question is How. The nation of 41 million people also faces the Challenge of More fairly sharing the benefits of economic expansion. Industrial workers who helped build and fuel the Economy Are clamouring for change. The 1988 olympic games in Seoul in september will be dramatic proof of How far South Korea has come since the korean War ended in an armistice in 1953. The War which began with an invasion by communist North Korea left More than a million killed and injured. North Korea still has not Given up its Hopes of reuniting Korea divided by . And soviet troops at the end of world War ii. The two governments Are locked in a bitter struggle for supremacy on the Peninsula and both sides claim to be the sole legitimate korean government. Hundreds of thousands of troops face each other in constant tension along a 150-mile demilitarized zone including 40,000 . Troops supporting the South. But signs of Progress on the Domestic political front and tentative moves to reduce tension with the North have stirred Hope that South Korea can overcome its challenges. After decades of authoritarian Rule by military and civilian strongmen a desire for change sent hundreds of thousands of people into the streets in the summer of 1987. The demonstrators ranged from students to Middle class businessmen and forced president Chun Doo Hwan who seized Power in a 1980 military coup to agree to elections and reforms. Roh Tae woo an ally of Chun who had backed the Call for reforms won the presidential elections with a slender Victory Over a divided opposition. Roh a former general like Chun took office feb. 25 in South Korea s first peaceful Transfer of Power. Roh a mix of pragmatist and populist promised to end decades of authoritarian Rule and usher in full democracy. Now nobody will be Able to reverse the current of democracy Roh declared. South Korea has seen rapid Liberal reforms during the past year. Political anti terrorist commandos train at the main olympic stadium in Seoul. Intellectual and artistic Freedom has flowered with the government no longer trying to regulate almost every aspect of life. Restrictions and controls on opposition groups labor unions dissidents the press and other groups have been lifted or reduced. Most opposition groups operate freely after years of repression. Peaceful protests strikes and political rallies have become commonplace in a nation where a year ago riot police suppressed Independent political activity. Roh who cultivates a common Man image has gained growing support for his programs. A recent poll said 53 percent of koreans approve of the president but just 21 percent support his democratic Justice party because of past abuses. Despite the recent changes some observers fear the divisions and antagonisms that have plagued South korean politics for years have not been resolved and the nation could again face chaos. Opposition groups Are determined to end the governing elite s Power and insist they alone can build full democracy. Hartline opposition dissident and labor groups claim Roh is a front for military Rule and say they won t end their struggle to oust the administration. Radical students a Small but powerful minority on campuses continue to stage violent protests. Factionalism continues to dominate korean politics with cliques under autocratic leaders constantly struggling for Power. Factions Are seen As a Barrier to democracy because they do not tolerate differing views and reject Compromise As weakness. Some political leaders fear the political Calm could end after the olympics. The opposition intends to keep Roh to his Promise of letting voters evaluate his performance after the games. Opposition leaders want a referendum and say Roh must step Down if he loses. Government leaders say there can be no question of the president surrendering Power. Some officials say government hardliners have tolerated moderate policies because they Don t want to offend International opinion when the olympics focus world attention on South Korea. But the hardliners May try to crack Down on the opposition later they say. While South Korea seeks political stability it faces a related Challenge from workers the poor and others for a much larger share in the rewards of the economic Success they helped create. South Korea grew from being one of the poorest asian nations with a Gross National product of $1.8-billion in 1955 to a Gnu of $119 billion last year. Once almost dependent on foreign Aid Seoul now has a $10 billion Trade surplus with the United states and its exports flood markets around the world. Industrial workers who produce the cars electronic goods and other items that have fuelled the Export Boom want dramatic improvements after decades of poor pay spartan lifestyles and Long work hours. The government which in the past backed business and suppressed labor groups agrees there must be major changes. Roh has encouraged business to work with workers and unions. High economic growth has been a National driving Force but now attention must also be Given to greater distribution of wealth to help the needy says government democratic Justice party chairman Yoon Giel Joong. Some labor leaders contend the concessions Are Token and Many workers Lead poor and Bleak lives. They complain of cramped squalid housing poor food and Long exhausting work hours in dangerous and oppressive working conditions. The government rejects opposition claims 25 percent of the populations of Seoul and other cities live in poverty officials say 6 percent of City dwellers Are below the official poverty line of about $300 a month. The government underestimates the number of the poor to give themselves legitimacy and to project Korea As a prosperous nation said Rev. Kim Kwang Soo a dissident who helps the poor. Young Soo Gil an economist at the Korea development Institute said managers and workers must find a new relationship to increase living standards without hurting productivity and exports by driving up costs too much it will take some  sunday August 14, 1988 the stars and stripes Page 13