SOUTH KOREA: A POLITICAL ASSESSMENT (DELETED)

Created: 11/24/1979

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South Koroai olitical Assessment

President Pak Chong-hui, now in his lBth year as South Korea's national leader, has enjoyed considerablein establishing politicaltrong national defense, and economic and social modernisation. Pax has retained hie longstanding bases of support in the military and the bureaucracy, and ine has strengthened his equities with the rural population andignificant pert of Southwing urban middle class. The "Saemsulafaceted government program that promotes both economic development and grass-roots political partlclpation--has been an especially useful mechanism in strengthening support in the countryside. The emerging urban middle class in Korea, fosteredecade of rapid economic growth,rowing stake in the political and economic status quo.

Nonetheless, Pah has his problems.!

"But the_count

demOL'lwtltf"Blul1 n'Ufcsr'nlativenational legislature, the political parties, and thelittle independence and are not widely respected. Their weaknesses could become significant If and when, for whatever reason, power should be transferredew leader, something that has nover happened withoutturmoil in South Korea.

a succession crisis, other^ could .pell trouble for President Pak. Kalntalnl

rowth slnoat-certaii^tSfouth Korea's expanding urban areas.

remeinslargely dependent on the continued expansionin turn, will require Seoul to shift to higher-technology industries in the yeara ahead. South

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orobobly can make the transition, but It still International'competition, increasing energy and rawigh degree of dependence on overseas ma

_ocal, minorltyi they areadly divided among themselves; and they have been unable to articulate goals with broad appeal.

This situation may be changing. Some churchbecome more militant in their approach towardlabor. The major opposition political partyas itsore aggressive critic of tho South Korea's recent economic woesa rallying point.

These elements came together dramatically lna group of women workers who had lost their Jobsit-in at the opposition party headquarters Seoul with the assistance of some church activities. evicting tha workers during an early morningfsecurity;forces used excessive force. hes'turned aside dissidentor punishment ofin charge

Original document.

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