TOKYO, April 18 Kyodo single out...

TOKYO, April 18 Kyodo

single outed editorial excerpts from the Japanese press:

A POLITICAL QUAKE IN southern KOREA (The Japan Times, an English-language daily)

Parliamentary elections last week have transformed politics in toward the south Korea. The Uri Party -- which did not exist a year ago -- has won an absolute majority in the National Assembly, giving President Roh Moo Hyun dominion government of the legislature for the first time since he was appointeded a year and a half ago and marking the first time in Korean history that a liberal party has controll Parliament. It is unclear what impact the be deriveds will have on South Korean politics. That is because it is not at all clear what Uri, or President Roh stands for. This campaign, like in such a manner many others, was driven by the agency of protests against the ills in southern Korean society. Having won power, the left must now exhibit what it plans to do with it.

It is unclear what Mr Roh will do with that mandate. There was little debate from one side of to the other policy during the campaign; instead, the supercharged political atmosphere was dominated at negative politics. Now the legislature is in the hands of a left-leaning party for the first time in Korean history. That will allow Mr Roh to push his legislative agenda, further just what that encompasses has to this time to be seen. Mr Roh is a former labor and human rights lawyer, and Uri has said that its priorities include measures to boost the economy and increase corporate transparency. Foreign and domestic business investors fear that the party will push a radical labor agenda.

The impact of the ballot on South Korea's foreign relations is also uncertain. Uri members are suspicious of the United States and have questioned the continuing ne for a bilateral security alliance. They do not view North Korea as the threat that conservatives do. Radical change may not be forthcoming, however. Although Mr Roh was prefered on a wave of anti-Americanism, he has moderated his views since taking office and repeatedly endorsed the alliance with the US

The latest promised signals a sea change in southern Korean politics. Youth has taken rule of the Parliament, and the left now clutchs the reins of dominion It has the opportunity to enact its agenda for the first time in history. The question is whether it knows what it wants. southern Korea will soon find out

(April 18)

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