Saturday, April 10
Political Dynasties
The other day I was thinking about the number of political families that there are in Australia and the US- the Kennedy and Bush families in the US, and the Beazely and Hodgeman families in Australia among others.
This got me thinking about the election in Korea, and the large number of famous political family members who are contesting this election. The head of the conservative party- the GNP- Grand National Party is Park Geun-hye, who is the daughter of former Korean President Park Chung-hee, who led a military coup in 1961, and remained President until 1979. Park was a stalwart American ally, and was largely responsible for the creation of the famous Korean 'chaebol' system of business- that collapsed in the Asian meltdown in 1997. He was shot dead by the head of the Korean CIA!
The GNP is also running Yoon Sang-hyun for the district of Inchoen. He is the son of former President Chun Doo-hwan. Chun was convicted of military treason in 1999 and of extorting hundreds millions of dollars during his tenure in the top post from 1980 to 1987.
The eldest son of the former President Kim Dae-jung, Representative Kim Hong-il, is re-contesting his seat in the National Assembly. Kim's party, the MDP ( millennium Democratic Party ) is trailing in the polls, and looks unlikely to secure a victory. Hong-il is the son who WASN'T sent to jail for corruption.
When you think about, who would want to be President of Korea? It seems to be a dangerous job. Look at what has happened to those who have filled post in the past-
Syngman Rhee was president of the government in exile during the Japanese occupation, and then was elected in post-liberation Korea in 1948. He was forced out in 1960 by huge protests, for manipulating elections to stay in office.
Yoon Boseon was the next President, and he was overthrown in 1961 ,in a military coup by the next President,
Park Chug-hee, who was assassinated by the head of his own KCIA after 18 years in office.
Chun Doo-hwan was President from 1980-88, and was found guilty of treason and corruption.
Kim Young-sam, was President from 1992-1997, and oversaw the beginning of the Asian Economic Meltdown, and the collapse of the chaebol system.
Kim Dae-jung was in office from 1998-2003. He was been sentenced to death in the 60's by Syng-man Rhee, and later ran for President in the 1988 election, but lost, after splitting the opposition vote with Kim Young-sam, who also lost that election. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2000 for his work at reunification and family reunions with North Korea. At the end of his term, his two youngest sons were arrested for corruption.
Current President Roh Moo-hyun has been in office since 2003. After winning an election that divided the country along generational lines, by vowing to change the corrupt money politics of the past, a number of close aides, associates and family members of Roh's have been investigated for selling influence and illegal campaign financing.
On March 12, 2004, the South Korean parliament voted to impeach him for illegal electioneering and incompetence. The vote was 193-2.
WOULD YOU WANT THE JOB?
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This got me thinking about the election in Korea, and the large number of famous political family members who are contesting this election. The head of the conservative party- the GNP- Grand National Party is Park Geun-hye, who is the daughter of former Korean President Park Chung-hee, who led a military coup in 1961, and remained President until 1979. Park was a stalwart American ally, and was largely responsible for the creation of the famous Korean 'chaebol' system of business- that collapsed in the Asian meltdown in 1997. He was shot dead by the head of the Korean CIA!
The GNP is also running Yoon Sang-hyun for the district of Inchoen. He is the son of former President Chun Doo-hwan. Chun was convicted of military treason in 1999 and of extorting hundreds millions of dollars during his tenure in the top post from 1980 to 1987.
The eldest son of the former President Kim Dae-jung, Representative Kim Hong-il, is re-contesting his seat in the National Assembly. Kim's party, the MDP ( millennium Democratic Party ) is trailing in the polls, and looks unlikely to secure a victory. Hong-il is the son who WASN'T sent to jail for corruption.
When you think about, who would want to be President of Korea? It seems to be a dangerous job. Look at what has happened to those who have filled post in the past-
Syngman Rhee was president of the government in exile during the Japanese occupation, and then was elected in post-liberation Korea in 1948. He was forced out in 1960 by huge protests, for manipulating elections to stay in office.
Yoon Boseon was the next President, and he was overthrown in 1961 ,in a military coup by the next President,
Park Chug-hee, who was assassinated by the head of his own KCIA after 18 years in office.
Chun Doo-hwan was President from 1980-88, and was found guilty of treason and corruption.
Kim Young-sam, was President from 1992-1997, and oversaw the beginning of the Asian Economic Meltdown, and the collapse of the chaebol system.
Kim Dae-jung was in office from 1998-2003. He was been sentenced to death in the 60's by Syng-man Rhee, and later ran for President in the 1988 election, but lost, after splitting the opposition vote with Kim Young-sam, who also lost that election. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2000 for his work at reunification and family reunions with North Korea. At the end of his term, his two youngest sons were arrested for corruption.
Current President Roh Moo-hyun has been in office since 2003. After winning an election that divided the country along generational lines, by vowing to change the corrupt money politics of the past, a number of close aides, associates and family members of Roh's have been investigated for selling influence and illegal campaign financing.
On March 12, 2004, the South Korean parliament voted to impeach him for illegal electioneering and incompetence. The vote was 193-2.
WOULD YOU WANT THE JOB?
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Korean Government bans Iraq travel
Today's Korea Times reports that the South Korean government has designated Iraq a 'special' country following the 9 hour kidnapping of eight missionaries this week.
South Koreans will now need to seek government permission to travel to Iraq.
The government still seems to holding strong though, and is committed to sending additional troops to the country- there are currently 460 Korean military in Iraq, but this number will soon increase to 3000 making it the 3rd largest force after the US and the UK. This could change after the election though. It is reported that the Uri Party- that supported by the President, is split over the issue of troops dispatchment.
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South Koreans will now need to seek government permission to travel to Iraq.
The government still seems to holding strong though, and is committed to sending additional troops to the country- there are currently 460 Korean military in Iraq, but this number will soon increase to 3000 making it the 3rd largest force after the US and the UK. This could change after the election though. It is reported that the Uri Party- that supported by the President, is split over the issue of troops dispatchment.
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North Korea and economic "reforms"
Diplomatic sources in Pyongyang report that the North Korean government has ended food rationing, meaning that those in North must now fend for themselves in the North Korean "market" when it comes to food.
Is this reform going to lead anywhere? What food will they find to buy? Probably all of that food aid from the UN and the South. What money will they use to pay for it? All those savings under their mattresses that they were keeping for a rainy day! For the unfortunate people of the North, it has been pouring for many years now!
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Is this reform going to lead anywhere? What food will they find to buy? Probably all of that food aid from the UN and the South. What money will they use to pay for it? All those savings under their mattresses that they were keeping for a rainy day! For the unfortunate people of the North, it has been pouring for many years now!
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As most of you know, the Korean National Assembly elections are taking place next Thursday- April 15th.
The elections are under the cloud of the Constitutional Court reviewing the legality of the impeachment of the Korean President, Roh Moo Hyun. This has turned this election into an usually crowded one.
Tough new election laws to stamp out the endemic corruption and vote buying of past elections has ensured that it is fun for outsiders such as myself to observe.
Important rules such as no more than four volunteers on the hustings with candidates, that volunteers can't all wear the same outfit while campaigning or one of my favourites- only candidates are allowed to wear sashes!
One rule that has been enforced this year is the one that got the President into trouble- public officials campaigning for specific candidates or parties. This has not only led to the impeachment of the President, but has also resulted in arrest warrents being issued for the head of the Korean Education Union and the Public Sector Union- what a fantastic law. More countries need to bring this in.
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The elections are under the cloud of the Constitutional Court reviewing the legality of the impeachment of the Korean President, Roh Moo Hyun. This has turned this election into an usually crowded one.
Tough new election laws to stamp out the endemic corruption and vote buying of past elections has ensured that it is fun for outsiders such as myself to observe.
Important rules such as no more than four volunteers on the hustings with candidates, that volunteers can't all wear the same outfit while campaigning or one of my favourites- only candidates are allowed to wear sashes!
One rule that has been enforced this year is the one that got the President into trouble- public officials campaigning for specific candidates or parties. This has not only led to the impeachment of the President, but has also resulted in arrest warrents being issued for the head of the Korean Education Union and the Public Sector Union- what a fantastic law. More countries need to bring this in.
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Well, this is my first foray into the world of blogging. I'll be letting loose my opinion onto the unsuspecting web on anything that comes to mind...
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Following the advice of my good friend Arthur- visit him here http://chrenkoff.blogspot.com, I've started this blog, just to let people know what I'm thinking- perhaps not a smart move!
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