A military coup against Chun, a former general who had seized power seven years ear- lier, seemed increasingly likely. Officials in Washington were nearly as nervous as their Korean counterparts. The ROK, tied to the United States by a bilateral defense treaty, had long been considered one of this country's closest military allies. The United States maintains tactical nuclear weapons and 40,000 troops in South Korea to back its defense commitment, yet the Reagan adminis- tration could only stand by helplessly in the face of the growing disorder. But the Chun government unexpectedly gave ground.
Many dangers remain.
Elections have been held in Korea before, but they have been fixed. Moreover, Korea's political future is uncertain. Two opposition leaders who have feuded bitterly in the past, Kim Dae Jung and Kim Young Sam, are running for president, and a split vote could result in Roh's election. Whoever is elected will have to deal with the continued incarceration of more than a thousand political prisoners, unprecedented labor unrest, and renewed student protests. There are a hell of a lot of fights to come, and some of them will be in the streets.