South Korea Guilt Trips

"I cannot conceal my remorse," read the ad splashed across the front page of every daily newspaper in South Korea. Unusual though it was, the public apology by Opposition Leader Kim Young Sam, 60, was only the first to be offered by losers of South Korea's first free presidential election in 16 years. Rival Dissident Leader Kim Dae Jung, 62, issued his mea culpa two days later, conceding his "unbearably heavy responsibility" for the victory two weeks ago of Roh Tae Woo, 55, the candidate of the ruling Democratic Justice Party. By splitting the opposition vote, the two Kims had allowed Roh to win with only 36.6% of the ballots cast.

Though their concessions were painfully apt, neither Kim backed away from charges that Roh won by cheating. Kim Dae Jung, who finished third with 27% of the vote, seemed especially bitter: "It's utterly incomprehensible that I, who was able to mobilize millions of people at my campaign rallies, should have been defeated." A more conciliatory Kim Young Sam, who drew 28%, said his party would work with Roh to revise laws for National Assembly elections. The offer seemed aimed at repairing Kim's credibility as an effective political force. Said Lee Chul, an opposition National Assembly member: "The two Kims are now turning into obstacles for democratic developments in our country. At the mention of their names, many people grimace."

Meanwhile, Roh Tae Woo moved confidently into his new role as President- elect. To help strengthen South Korea's relations with Japan, the former general met with Shintaro Abe, secretary-general of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party, and chatted by phone with Japanese Prime Minister Noboru Takeshita. Roh promised to seek improved relations with China after he takes office on Feb. 25. Any warming between the two nations could reduce tensions between Seoul and Communist North Korea, a staunch Beijing ally.

Roh promised to hold a national vote of confidence after next September's Olympic Games in Seoul and to step down if he lost the plebiscite. Pressing his theme of national reconciliation, he prayed with Buddhist monks and met with Presbyterian leaders. Roh delayed a meeting with Stephen Cardinal Kim Sou Hwan at Seoul's Myongdong Cathedral, where a band of students was demonstrating against the election. He worked hard to keep his campaign image of the ordinary man, urging a delegation of garbage collectors to call him Mister instead of the customary Your Excellency. But his ultimate sacrifice may have been giving up the traditional presidential vehicle, a bulletproof Cadillac, in favor of the far more modest Korean-made Grandeur sedan.