Philippines and South Korea

We are glad for the extensive coverage given by The Times to the critical situation in the Philippines and the different effects and concerns of the Filipinos in the States. As such coverage has been given to the Philippines, we ask that more coverage be given to South Korea, as the situation there is similar to that of the Philippines.

We thank The Times for the article (Feb. 15), “South Korea Frees One of Two Dissenters Under House Arrest.” It is our hope that more articles will be written to expose the continued abuse of power by Chun Doo Hwan of South Korea, the 1986 Asian Olympic and 1988 Olympic hosts.

We are glad that our Congress and President Reagan took a strong stand in relation to Ferdinand Marcos. We strongly hope that the United States will play such an active role now in South Korea in relation to President Chun and his military regime.

For as the eyes of the world have focused on the Philippines, Chun has taken advantage of this. He has continued to harass and unjustly place under house arrest and jailed prominent leaders for democracy such as Kim Dae Jung, Kim Young Sam and Rev. Moon Ik Hwan. Chun has continued to oppress the New Korea Democratic Party (NKDP), the leading democratic opposition party in Korea, by detaining members in their homes and having hundreds of police surround party’s headquarters, thus forbidding meetings.

Also, all NKDP members have sought signatures to revise Chun’s constitution to allow for a direct presidential election, they and other signers have been jailed or placed under house arrest. It’s a crime in South Korea to sign petitions!

The people of South Korea strongly yearn for a democratic government and the time is now! We strongly hope that the United States will also support the people in South Korea in their efforts for a true democracy as we have helped the people of the Philippines.

The time has come for a U.S. envoy to be sent to South Korea and for President Reagan to stop supporting an oppressive military dictator, such as Chun Doo Hwan.

We hope that our government has learned from its past mistakes with the Philippines and will now actively support a democratic government in South Korea. It is vital for this to take place before further violence and mass chaos breaks out in South Korea, the 1986 Asian Olympic and 1988 Olympic hosts.

JONG WON LEE

Los Angeles

Jong Won Lee is president of the Korean Institute for Human Rights California Office.