Ruling, Rival Parties in S. Korea Hold First Talks Since Election

This country’s ruling and main opposition parties held their first talks Friday since last month’s presidential election, signaling a possible breakthrough in their hostile relationship.

Parliamentary floor leaders from the two main opposition groups held separate meetings in the National Assembly with their ruling-party counterparts.

The legislators were expected to begin negotiations next week on revising election laws before parliamentary polls that are to take place sometime between February and April, spokesmen for the rival camps said.

It was the first time since the Dec. 16 vote--South Korea’s first direct presidential election in 16 years--that the parties led by Kim Young Sam and Kim Dae Jung had agreed to official contacts with President-elect Roh Tae Woo’s ruling Democratic Justice Party.

No agreement was reached except to continue discussions Monday, the spokesmen said.

Political analysts said Friday’s meetings were evidence of greater acceptance of Roh’s victory by the two Kims, who had once vowed to organize a national struggle to unseat the former general, calling him a “vote cheater.”

Leaders from both Kim Young Sam’s Reunification Democratic Party and Kim Dae Jung’s Party for Peace and Democracy told reporters their parties want parliamentary elections in April.

The opposition, apparently needing more time to recover from the defeat in the presidential vote, wants elections for the National Assembly held as late as possible in the hope of increasing its chances to win a parliamentary majority.

The ruling party wants the elections held before Roh takes office on Feb. 25.

In Seoul, meanwhile, about 7,000 cattle farmers opposing imports of foreign beef stormed government offices and urged officials not to yield to U.S. trade pressure.

“No American Beef!” the farmers shouted.

Scuffles broke out when farmers tried to enter the headquarters of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, but 500 riot police blocked the way.

The protesters contend local cattle farm operations are too small to compete against Americans.