SOUTH KOREA: KIM YOUNG SAM WINS PRESIDENCY

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06887976
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: March 9, 2023
• Document Release Date: September 9, 2021
• Case Number: F-2019-02096
• Publication Date: December 19, 1992

Approved for Release: 2021/08/23 C06887976
Bill a 11?-917.1901)1.....
Director of Central Intake=
NATIONAL
INTELLIGENCE
LY
Satarday, 0 Dscesiber 1992
T ret
CPAS N1D 92-295JX
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19 December 1992
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Contents
Russia: Critics Expand Voice in Foreign Policy
3
Notes
New Zealand: Report on Nuclear Safety Issued
: Currency Strains Persist
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6
7
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8
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9
Colombia: Second Kingpin Strikes Plea Bargain 9
10
10
In Brief
11
Special Analyses South Korea: Kim Young Sam Wins Presidency 13
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CS 2995/92
19 December 1992
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19 December 1992
South Korea
President-Elect Kim Young Sam
Kim has achieved political success through his ability to
reach co r nromises and to mend fences with nolitical
enemies
he has
long maintained good relations with US officials
Kim's political skills are buttressed by an impressive political
organization. He has numerous advisers with specialties
varying from women's issues to international economic
policy. He is regarded as having one of the best advisory
teams among Seoul's politicians.
Kim, 65, has substantial wealth and is well connected. He
was born in Pusan, South Korea's second-largest city, and has
been active in politics since the early 1950s. Kim speaks
some English.
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Special Analysis
SOUTH KOREA: Kim Young Sam Wins Presidency
The victory by Kim Young Sam, leader of the Democratic Liberal Party,
in yesterday's presidentaLekc1thitieflects the conservative public's
preference for stability.
With more than 97 percent of the vote in, Kim reportedly won with
42 percent of the vote; the Democratic Party candidate, Kim Dae
Jung, received 34 percent, and ChungJu Yung of the United People's
Party received 16 percent, Election day was peaceful, and turnout was
high at 82 percent. Moreover, press reports indicate the public
generally believes that the election was fair�especially, as compared
with the one in 1987�which will strengthen the precedent for a
peaceful transfer of power in line with the Constitution. Although
charges of irregularities may arise later. Kim's comfortable margin of
victory will undercut sustained challenges to the outcome. Kim Dae
Jung's promot concessioi reduces the likelihood of protests by his
supporters.
Despite their concern about current economic problems, most South
Koreans apparently were unwilling to risk electing a figure whose
party is inexperienced in managing national political and economic
affairs. Most probably also concluded that the country needs a
nrecident whet party has a majority in the National Assembly.
As in the past, regional rivalries played the key role in the voting.
Kim Dae Jung's support came almost exclusively from the Cholla
provinces in the southwest and from Cholla natives in Seoul. Ruling
DLP officials increasingly appealed to regional loyalties late ii th
campaign to shore up soft support in their own constituencies.
Kim probably will use the time before he is inaugurated in late
February to mend fences in his faction-plagued party. His strong
showing may encourage legislators from other parties to join the
DLP, a common occurrence in South Korea. Kim is likely to adopt
policies broadly similar to those of outgoing President Roh, including
maintaining close political and security ties to Washington and opening
South Korea's markets only gradually. He probably will also continue to
promote a dialogue with North Korea s a means toward eventual
peaceful reunification of the Peninsula.
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Approved for Release: 2021/08/23 C06887976