From: jgl7@cunixa.cc.columbia.edu (Andrew T. Kim)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.korean
Subject: YAEQ (Yet Another Election Question)
Summary: Election, Presisdent, YS, PK, TK, Chung Joo Yung, Politics
Keywords: Power Game, Who Won, Who will, Who cares...
Date: 7 Apr 92 15:41:42 GMT
Reply-To: jgl7@cunixa.cc.columbia.edu (Andrew T. Kim)
Organization: NY Mets


Boy, that Hangul thread became a mess...

To change the subject, I have several questions regarding to the last
election, and the upcoming presisdent election.  I am no expert in Korean
politics and whatever informations referred here is from patches of several
newspaper articles.  If you found them wrong, please jump all over me and
correct me.  (I am sorry that we lost Jaehoon (?) who has been providing
valuable info's from Korea.  Can you still send mails, though?)

Q1: Who is the real winner/loser of the last election?  

It seems to me that Kim Dae Jung and Chung Joo Young came out pretty well,
whereas Kim Young Sam and Kim Jong Pil didn't really help themselves.  DJP
barely managed to win the majority by absorbing independents, but not an
overwhelming majority nonetheless.  I heard YS people (I hate these
acronyms) failed to be near the party majority, and JP's only won 10-20
seats.  Considering the original motivation for the unification of the
three parties were to give Roh a majority in congress, and YS and JP failed
to provide it this time, the motivation for nominating YS is weakened.
While it could be said that YS and his followers are more valuable than
ever to Roh, when they have just over majority, there still remains a doubt
whether YS is no more than a "casting vote".  Other figures in DJP,
including Lee Jong Chan, are blaming YS for the loss in the election, and
are asking for the free competition for the party nomination.  Does anyone
know where this marriage between DJP and Kim Young Sam is heading to?

Q2. Chung Joo Young

This election has proved that Chung Joo Young will become a considerable
force in the upcoming election.  I think the idea of non-professional
politician running for the presisdent sounds fresh and appeals to many
people, especially in Middle-Class.  I am skeptical about his ability as a
leader of the country, but again the same goes to the other Kim's too.

This makes me curious:  If he does become a president, how would it affect
the Korean industry?  This may sound stupid, but, I mean, he used to be
(may still be) the head of Hyundai group and the company is practically run
by his sons.  It is hard to imagine that there won't be any changes when he
gains the ultimate power.  I am not sure I should be happy to see that, if
I were a chairman of, say, Samsung or other rivals.  Or is it the other way
around?  Maybe as in "Cho Rok Dong Saek", he will help out all the
Chaebols.  What is the reaction of the industry about Chung's running for
President? 


For me, I don't have any strong opnions about this presidential election,
either way.  I don't like any of them, but maybe I just don't know them
enough.  Politcs is not my favorite sports anyway.  I have to say, though,
Korean politics look more and more like the true politics (ever so slightly).
Sleazy, dirty, lying politicians, but no shooting.

My personal opinion is to elect 3 Kim's as co-president and get rid of
these president ghosts once and for all...


Andy T Kim
jgl7@cunixa.cc.columbia.edu
Newsgroups: soc.culture.korean