Rancor Rises as S. Korean Opposition Demands That Chun Meet Party Leaders

The rancorous dispute over South Korea’s political future sharpened Tuesday as the main opposition party decided to boycott parliamentary committee talks on constitutional change until President Chun Doo Hwan meets its leaders.

Chun’s spokesman warned that the opposition must take responsibility for any disorder resulting from renewed street protests on the issue.

The opposition New Korea Democratic Party has been pressing Chun to meet with its president, Lee Min Woo, and Kim Dae Jung and Kim Young Sam, its behind-the-scenes leaders.

Term Ends in 1988

Chun’s seven-year term ends in early 1988, and a committee of the National Assembly has been discussing constitutional changes in the way South Korea chooses its leader.

Chun and his governing Democratic Justice Party want a Cabinet system of government, headed by a prime minister, while the opposition insists on a president elected directly by the people.

The two Kims and Lee issued a statement saying that the New Korea Democratic Party will boycott the constitutional revision committee “until a response is made to our demand” for a meeting with Chun. The party’s executive board Tuesday approved the boycott.

“We believe that an agreement on a direct presidential formula between the government and the opposition parties is the sole way to end the current political stalemate and, therefore, we strongly demand that talks be held between the real powers (of the two parties),” the three leaders said in the statement.

Resistance by Chun

Chun’s chief spokesman, Lee Jong Ryool, maintained that there have been no developments to warrant a meeting with Lee Min Woo since Chun met the titular head of the opposition last May. The spokesman also ruled out a meeting with either of the Kims.

In an interview Tuesday, the spokesman warned the opposition that it will be held responsible for any “social and political chaos.”

If the opposition “goes out into the streets again and refuses to use the National Assembly as a forum for debate, they will be condemned by the people,” Lee said. “If they create social turmoil, they will be blamed for the things that happen.”

Change Prompted by Rallies

Chun agreed to allow revision of the constitution only after the opposition staged public rallies around the country demanding that his successor be chosen by a direct vote of the people, rather than indirectly by an electoral college.

The opposition’s boycott announcement said nothing about more public rallies, but the action implied such a move.

Asked about a possible reimposition of martial law, Lee noted that “the president has the authority to declare martial law when society threatens to get out of hand--for instance, in the case of serious student demonstrations or deliberate attempts by the opposition party to create social turmoil.”

Lee twice refused to rule out the possibility of a declaration of martial law.

But he said that Chun, who seized power in 1980, “takes pride” in the fact that he has not resorted to martial law in the 5 1/2 years since he was chosen president by a newly elected electoral college in 1981, “although martial law was declared many times in the past.”

‘No Point in Meeting’

As for a meeting of Chun and opposition leaders, Lee said: “There is no point in a meeting with the president without reaching an understanding at the working levels of the two parties. When the president meets somebody, the people expect results.”

The opposition leaders, asserting that only Chun holds the power to decide what form of government will replace authoritarian rule, have demanded a meeting with the president to press their demands for a presidential system with a direct election of Chun’s successor.

Chun’s Democratic Justice Party is adamant that a parliamentary form of government be adopted--a position that spokesman Lee said will not be changed.

The opposition boycott of the constitutional revision committee and threats of retaliation from Chun’s party brought hope for reforms through consensus to a new low point.

Might Act Anyway

On Monday, Assemblyman Chae Mun Shick, a member of the ruling party and chairman of the constitutional committee, threatened to enact amendments without obtaining the approval of the New Korea Democratic Party.

Chun’s party lacks the two-thirds majority of the National Assembly needed to submit amendments to a referendum, but minor opposition parties and independents could give it the needed votes.

Spokesman Lee suggested Tuesday that the ruling party also might pick up votes from breakaway members of the New Korea Democratic Party.

He emphasized, however, that he and Chae were talking about an option, not a decision, to proceed without approval of the New Korea Democratic Party.

Series of Concessions

Chun, who until April refused to allow amendment of his authoritarian 1980 constitution, has made “a series of concessions to the opposition,” the spokesman said.

“Now is the time for the opposition to make concessions,” Lee added.

Lee acknowledged that the ruling party’s bid for a parliamentary system of government still has not won the support of most South Koreans. But he predicted that it will gain wider support as time passes.

Asked about charges that Chun intends to retain power even after stepping down as president, Lee said, “It is premature to comment on what role he would play.

“Basically, he will exercise some influence, as George Washington did after he stepped down,” Lee added.