Abstracts » Business, international

Out for a gaffe: minister gets the sack for angering military

Article Abstract:

South Korean President Kim Young Sam fired Education Minister Kim Sook He on May 12 for criticizing the army's participation in the Korean and Vietnam wars before a group of senior military officers. President Kim already has poor relations with the military due to purges of their ranks. Of the six women he has given cabinet posts, only Minister for Political Affairs Kim Jang Sook remains, but he will probably continue to give women important roles in his govt to avoid handing the gender card to his opposition.

Appointments, resignations and dismissals, Women in politics, Kim Sook He

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Crumbling authority: president hit by polls loss and store collapse

Article Abstract:

Recent elections handed S Korean president Kim Young Sam a brutal setback just days before a dept store's collapse highlighted the infrastructure failures that have plagued his administration. Kim's authority has probably been curtailed, which will limit his ability to negotiate with N Korea over its nuclear program and other issues. The opposition Democratic Party won 30.5% of the local vote, compared to 33.8% for the ruling Liberal Democrats and 10.8% for the upstart, conservative United Liberal Democrats.

Public opinion, Disasters, Kim Young Sam

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Another clampdown?

Article Abstract:

There is concern in South Korea about the government's plans to increase repression, with the renewal of internal intelligence powers to the Agency for National Security Planning, known elsewhere as the Korean CIA. University students, following protests between themselves and the police in the summer of 1996, are worried, as are the leaders of opposition parties, who are concerned about being intimidated.

Political persecution, Repression

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