South Korea Ruling Party Holds Out an Offer to Opposition

The government will permit greater democracy if the political opposition eases its vehement struggle against the regime of President Chun Doo Hwan over constitutional reform, a ruling party leader said Friday.

Democratic Justice Party chairman Roh Tae Woo told a news conference that his party would study granting more liberties, including freedom of the press, releasing jailed dissidents and provincial automony, on condition the opposition accepts a parliamentary government under a new national charter.

Analysts said they regarded Roh’s remarks as a significant gesture toward resolving a dangerous political crisis over democracy in the country.

The dissident-backed opposition New Korea Democratic Party describes the Democratic Justice Party’s draft constitution calling for a Cabinet responsibility system, to be run by a strong prime minister, as a “scheme to prolong military dictatorship.”