Evening star., 1960-05-23
Second Of Four Articles

1860, the legislature was a
frozen instrument. When the
students finally put the blow
torch to it last month a search
for bearings began.
The quest goes on as this is
written. Korean and American
officials here expect the Ma
tional Assembly to take a lead
ing part in shaping the trun-
Gated nations future from here
on. What that future will be is
anybody's guess.
Old Liberal Party Is Dead
The old ruling Liberal
Party is all but dead. Its lead
ers spoke openly to this report
er of disbanding or merging
with the opposition Democrats
as if the long ng-persecuted DEM
ocratS would have them.
Democrats stand good
chance of inheriting power
until other shades Of political
thought get organized. There Is
q chance that many small par
ties will mushroom. leading to
Shaky coalition cabinets sus-
ceptible to each stiff breeze.
Fragmentation of this kind
Is usually discussed as a break
up of conservative. pro-Ameri-
can, anti-Communist elements.
Only passing thought has been
given to a new. emerging politi-
cal group which could become
q power here as a reaction to
the ultra conservative Rhee
regime.
The Koreans call it the pro
gresSive" political force, en-
bracing liberal, socialist. and
leftist on into neo-Communist.
All were sternly suppressed
under Mr.. Rhee.
Sensitive to Danger
The effect on South Korean
politics of a left-of-center
minority in a parliamentary
system of government such as
seems likely to be formed here
could be a shock, not only for
Seoul but for the American
Embassy as well.
Liberal Party members who
have not been purged are SEN
sitive to the danger" They
still speak wistfully of preserv-
ing the two conservative party
system"
The theory of the Liberals is
that middle school and college
students are ripe for exploita-
tion by just such political
groups as the progressives. To
traditionalist Liberals every
man to the left of Syngman
Rhee is virtually Communist.
Other political parties do not
share the Liberals apprehen-
sions. The Democrats. for in
stance, have borne the brunt
of abuse from the Liberals.
They have a tolerant attitude
toward new political groups, at
least until they grow strong.
Crucial Role for Huh
Huh Chung as Acting Pres
ident will have a crucial role
to play in the formative
months for these new political
parties. His term is now esti-
mated to last three to five
months because voting lists
have been discovered to be
fraudulent and must be re-
checked before elections can be
held.
He welcomes more shades Of
political thought. He told this
reporter he does not automati-
cally rule out the participation
OF the outlawed Labor Party,
previously condemned as Red
controlled.
Mr. Hubs administration has
already arrested several per-
sons repeatedly leaders of the
Labor Party. charging them
with being Communist agents.
1t may be that the Acting
President hopes to purge the
Labor Party of it's ultra left
wing. The survivors then might
function as a counterbalance
to the Democrats. who have
been a conservative party al
though out of favor with the
regime.
Resurgence of liberal thought
in South Korea probably will
be aided by the confusion at
tendant on reshuffling of Rhee
regime officials and the purge
OF hoodlums, rascals and hang
ers-on.
Rhee's Backers Repentent
The Korean lieutenants who
kept DR.. Rhee in power so
long have been unusually re-
pentant. Home Minister In Kyu
Choi, for instance, broke down
In tears when he confessed to
these crimes against democ-
racy:
/. He told government Of