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CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY OFFICE Of CURRENT INTELLIGENCE
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CONFIDENTIAL
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NOT RE LEASABLE TO FOREIGN CONTINUED CONTROL
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
Soutb Korean leader Lt. Con. Pak Chong-hul's promise to return the government to civilian authority3 will probably ease public uncertainty caused by theAppHOVlD FOB RELEASE military coup. Many South Koreans are in sympathy UnWliu ?Bfll the reformist objectives of the regime, if notthe regime Itself, and probably will agree thatonths are necessary to weed out corruption, institute basic and launch the five-rear economic development program.
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Korean press reaction to Lt. Gen. Paketurn to civilian government 3 has generally been favorable but cautious. President Yun Po-nunimilar attitude and publicly endorsed Pak'sugust He reflected the desire of educated civilian elements for an early return to civilian government byhope that circumstances wouldhortened period of military control.
The President also hasconcern over limitations placed on free politicalprior to the transfer of power and fears that the Junta, under pressure from extremist young colonels, will continue to try to direct affairs after the re-establlshment or civilian government.
In his statement to the nation, Pak promised that, in accord with the regime's early pledge, the government would be returned to civilian control in tho shortest time possiblewith "eliminating vice and establishing the foundations for new democraticeimetablefor the resumption of activities byho adoptionewbefore March of the same year, general elections In May,ransfer of power the following summer. The now constitution is to providetrong presldont,-eat unicameral legislature. The regime Intends to prohibit corrupt and dishonest former politicians from againpolitically active.
On IS August the JuntaLt. Gen. Yi Han-llm and seven other senior officers arrested shortly after theay coup for "hesitating" to support the revolution. Yl was commander of the South Korean
Zone facinc theThe release of the eight was undoubtedly designed tosensitivity over arbitrary and repressive actions of the Junta and to encourage public confidence In the regime's promise to return government to civilian control.
Many South Koreans are In sympathy with the reformist objectives of the junta, if not with the Junta itself, andwill agree thatonths are necessary to weed outInstitute basic reforms, and launch the regime's five-year economic development program. However, educated
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