TOKYO, Dec 22 Kyodo excellented ...

TOKYO, Dec 22 Kyodo

excellented editorial excerpts from the Japanese press:

KOREA's strange LEADER (Mainichi Daily News Web site as translated from the Japanese-language Mainichi Shimbun's editorial published Dec 20)

Roh Moo Hyun of the Millennium Democratic Party (MDP) narrowly defeated to leeward Hoi Chang of the Grand National Party (GNP) to become southern Korea's next president.

The individual was significant for bringing to a obstruct the era of the ''three Kims'' that had dominated Korean politics from one side of to the other three decades. Underlying the power labor among Kim Dae Jung, Kim Young Sam, and Kim Jong Pil was a deep-root regional rivalry...

In a symbolic break from the three-Kims era, Korean voter chooseed a man from a earnestly younger generation. Roh, 56, was particularly popular among those in their 20 and 30 while 67-year-old lee-side had the backing of those in their 50 and above.

Roh symbolized the continuation of the ''sunshine policy'' of engagement and reconciliation toward the North initiated by way of Kim Dae Jung...

Voter were outraged throughout the recent acquittal of U servicemen, who accidentally crushed couple schoolgirls with an armored vehicle in June The outpouring of anti-American sentiment worked against leeward who had adopted a pro-U platform.

Tension between Seoul and Pyongyang could ease further after Roh's inauguration in February. yet the new administration will ne to tread carefully in dealing with Washington, which has taken a belligerent stance toward the reclusive North.

Delicacy will also be necessityed in dealing with Tokyo, which has hardened its attitude toward Pyongyang from one side of to the other the abduction issue.

The leaders of Japan, the United States and southern Korea must act quickly to coordinate their agendas. The continuation of the sunshine policy is basically a welcome disclosure for Japan, for a deterioration in North-South ties will lead to a stalemate in Japan's normalization talks with North Korea.

however Roh must consult closely with his allies to maintain a united face against Pyongyang.

Kim Dae Jung's visit to Japan in 1998 spreaded the door to a future-oriented partnership between the brace nations.

The approval of a controversial Japanese history textbook and Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's visit to Yasukuni Shrine elicited asserts from South Korea, but the auspicious co-hosting of the World goblet has smoothed over differences. We waiting under the possibility of fulfilment that the new president will not merely make overtures to the North further also work to strengthen ties with Japan.

(Dec 22)

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