[Editorial] Roh and Kim DJ Dinner Date Before Elections

President Roh Moo-hyun is to host former President Kim Dae Jung for dinner at the Blue House. There is really nothing wrong with this meeting of incumbent and former presidents. The scheduled meeting though makes us curious. It is just two days prior to the April 24 by and reelection. Therefore, South Koreans suspect that the dinner is for campaign purposes. Previously, the leadership of the ruling party confessed that they were losing support in the Cholla Provinces, a stronghold for former President Kim. To appease those in the region, leadership has to make amends, and circumstances lead us to doubt the announced purpose of the upcoming dinner date.

Of course, the Blue House and the ruling Millennium Democratic Party deny all allegations, and contend that the meeting has nothing to do with the upcoming elections. Unfortunately, South most Koreans take this at face value. Politics in South Korea are notorious for suspect connections and lack of trust. The Blue House and the Millennium Democratic leadership are well aware of this. Nevertheless, they say they don`t foresee any problems with the meeting.

The April 24 local elections will be the first set of elections for the fledging Roh administration and both the opposition and ruling parties are utilizing whatever resources they can muster. Their minds are set on winning at all costs, pushing them to employ even dirtier campaign strategies than before. For example, in local primaries, authorities discovered that envelopes of cash were being doled out.

We`ve seen enough of those corrupt campaigns. Nonetheless, the parties themselves have no intention of reform. Take selection of party candidates, for example. It is a top-down process. Factions appropriate candidate seats for their constituents, as they have done so far on numerous occasions. Now, incumbent and former Presidents seem to be rolling up their sleeves to support the ruling party and this is cause for concern, especially considering the possible results.

Corrupt and illegal campaigning is a common sight in local elections. But we are still seeing the same type of behavior over and over. Politicians keep talking about reform but only to our dismay. Political reform is absolutely impossible without first reforming campaign matters. If foul play determines the outcome this time, every candidate, without hesitation, will do whatever it can to win seats in the National Assembly next year.

To prevent this, President Roh should put himself on guard against those dreaming of becoming congressmen "by any means." A first step in this direction would be to avoid any moves which the public is likely to find questionable. If President Roh really needs advice for his first trip to Washington, he should meet Mr. Kim after the elections. Then there would be less questioning as to his integrity.