A government opposition leader said it would...

A government opposition leader said it would be “very difficult” for Seoul, South Korea, to host the 1988 Summer Olympics if democratic reforms are not introduced in his country, virtually paralyzed after nearly two weeks of protests.

“The Olympics should be held under a new government to be inaugurated after a democratic constitution is achieved,” said Kim Young-sam, a member of the Reunification Democratic Party. “If the nation fails to realize democratization, it will be very difficult to stage the Olympics.

Another opposition leader, Kim Dae Jung, who is under house arrest, told Newsweek magazine, however, “We have no intention of embarrassing the South Korean government by exploiting the Olympic Games.”