Rep. Solarz Sees Democratic Gains in S. Korea Despite Vote Disputes

Rep. Stephen J. Solarz, a leading proponent of democratization in South Korea, said here Thursday that the country has taken major steps toward democracy despite apparent irregularities in the Dec. 16 presidential election.

“If a political paradise still lies beyond the horizon, it does seem fair to say that some significant steps have been taken in the right direction,” Solarz, a New York Democrat who is chairman of the House Subcommittee on Asian and Pacific Affairs, said at an airport press conference that concluded a four-day visit during which he met with government and opposition leaders.

President-elect Roh Tae Woo “has a tremendous opportunity to lay the groundwork for a genuine and lasting democracy,” Solarz said. “Much will depend on what he does in the weeks and months ahead.”

Vote-Buying, Ghost Voters

Solarz said “there do appear to be serious and substantial indications of widespread irregularities” in the recent presidential election.

“There appears to have been a considerable amount of vote-buying,” he said. “Massive amounts of money were spent in excess of the amounts permitted by law. Very serious questions have been raised about ghost voting, as well as the extent to which absentee ballots, particularly those cast by the military, were cast in a fashion that permitted those who voted to do so in privacy and without intimidation.

“I do think that it is important for these allegations to be impartially investigated, so that the Korean people themselves can arrive at some definitive answer to these questions.”

People’s Will Reflected

Solarz added, however, that “at the moment, based on the information presently available to me, I would have to conclude that in the absence of compelling and convincing and concrete evidence that massive amounts of votes were improperly added to the totals of Mr. Roh and subtracted from the totals of the three Kims, that it would appear that the results do reflect the will of the Korean people in the sense that a plurality appear to have cast their votes for Mr. Roh.”

Roh won with 36.6% of the vote, to 28% for Kim Young Sam, 27% for Kim Dae Jung, and 8% for Kim Jong Pil.

Solarz said he is “encouraged” by some of Roh’s recent statements, “which appear to suggest he is not only aware of the need for national reconciliation but also appears desirous of moving in that direction.”

“If most of the political prisoners are released, if efforts are made to reach out to those areas of the country which historically have been deprived . . . if genuine local autonomy is given to the various provinces and municipalities around the nation, if a truly free and independent press is permitted to come into existence, if steps are taken to make sure that future elections are free of . . . irregularities . . . then I think it will win the approbation of the South Korean people . . . contribute greatly to improved Korean-American relations and . . . significantly enhance Korea’s role and stature in the international community.”