Change In Seoul

To the Editors:

The student protests in South Korea ((WORLD, June 29)) have demonstrated one important fact: the outcry for democratic government will not die until that quest is successful. President Chun Doo Hwan must keep his promise to allow democratic elections so that the Koreans can regain faith in their government.

April I. Shin

Santa Ana, Calif.

In 1960 I was among those students throwing rocks at the police to protest the government of the late South Korean President Syngman Rhee. The tradition started 27 years ago has proved to be a healthy social phenomenon for the country. Every society needs a watchdog to keep an eye on the people who hold power. In the U.S. the Constitution satisfies that need at the spiritual level; the press does so at the functional level. In South Korea students have filled the vacuum and have become the watchdog group.

Elson Park

Salt Lake City

It is disgraceful for James Lilley, U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, to say he thinks Korean national security is more important than democratic reforms. With that comment he was either insulting the intelligence of the Korean people or misrepresenting American ethics. Many Koreans are convinced that their army cannot be deployed without American approval. Thus, when President Chun used the army to massacre civilians in Kwangju, Koreans became deeply disturbed by American policy.

Kyongtae Bae

Philadelphia

As a 1984 Olympic Games finalist in track and field, I find Jesse Jackson's threat to call for a U.S. boycott in 1988 because of human rights violations in South Korea to be the ultimate hypocrisy. Haven't politicians learned that boycotts do not change the governmental policies of the host nations? Human rights in South Korea may be an important issue, but the U.S. should use a medium other than the Olympics to make a statement about violations of those rights.

Bill Green

1986 U.S. National Champion

Hammer Throw

Torrance, Calif.

It is difficult for me to believe that Jesse Jackson or anyone would want to boycott the Olympic Games in Seoul in 1988. The absence of our athletes at the 1980 Moscow Olympics certainly has not hampered Soviet efforts in Afghanistan.

Gilbert F. Maxwell III

Phoenix