| [ Politics ] in KIDS 글 쓴 이(By): hitler (네 로) 날 짜 (Date): 1997년12월11일(목) 16시07분07초 ROK 제 목(Title): From the Financial Times South Korea: Anger at IMF terms may help opposition THURSDAY DECEMBER 11 1997 By John Burton in Seoul A public backlash against tough terms imposed by the International Monetary Fund's $57bn bail-out of South Korea could tilt next week's presidential election in favour of the main opposition candidate, who wants to renegotiate the controversial deal. Private tracking polls conducted by the Korean media show that Kim Dae-jung, veteran centre-left opposition leader, has gained a narrow 5 percentage point lead over the government candidate, Lee Hoi-chang, in the close election campaign. Mr Kim's support is around 40 per cent. Published opinion polls are banned for three weeks before the December 18 election. Mr Kim, who was slightly trailing Mr Lee two weeks ago before the IMF deal was signed, has enjoyed a bounce in popularity as he criticised the IMF terms, which are expected to lead to growing unemployment as austerity measures threaten to close uncompetitive companies. A victory by Mr Kim could further unsettle foreign investor confidence in Korea by increasing doubts about its commitment to implementing the IMF conditions, which many Koreans regard as a threat to their "economic sovereignty". When Michel Camdessus, the IMF managing director, asked the candidates to submit a written pledge of support for the rescue package, only Mr Kim declined. He sent a letter instead to the government that he supported the agreement in principle but subject to further renegotiations. Public anger about the nation's debt crisis and ensuing financial turmoil is working against Mr Lee, who has tried to distance himself from the unpopular administration of Kim Young-sam, who cannot stand again. The majority centre-right vote that would normally ensure a victory for Mr Lee is being split by Rhee In-je, a young former provincial governor who bolted from the government party to mount an independent bid. Mr Rhee, who has also criticised the IMF deal and called for its renegotiation, is enjoying a rise in popularity at the expense of Mr Lee, the only candidate to support the IMF agreement. Analysts predict that if Mr Rhee gains more than 20 per cent of the vote, it would help throw the election in favour of Mr Kim, who is making his fourth presidential bid since 1971. The opposition has never won a presidential election since South Korea was founded in 1948. Some analysts believe that Korea's normally conservative voters may still opt for stability and vote for Mr Lee. "Once they get into the voting booth, they could regard Lee as the safest choice in a time of national troubles," said a western diplomat. Neither candidate has a background that would suggest a strong commitment to the radical market reforms demanded by the IMF. Mr Lee, a former supreme court judge, is considered a quintessential member of the political �lite that has longed ruled Korea's dirigiste economy, while Mr Kim would be expected to protect the interests of his core constituency, which includes trade unions, small businesses and farmers. Lim Chang-yuel, Korea's finance minister, dismissed as election rhetoric the claims by Mr Kim that he would renegotiate the IMF terms if elected. "There is no reason why international markets should worry if Kim becomes president. When I initially briefed the candidates about our request to the IMF, he immediately gave his full support to the proposal. I expect he will fulfil that commitment once the election is over," said Mr Lim in an interview. |