Roh’s Final Appeal to Get Confidence of People.

“Korean president will step down, in case of no confidence.”

Major news companies around the world passed on President Roh’s speech at the congress as ‘”urgent,” on October 13.

Passing on the news again, AP news urgently wired out Roh’s speech that he will be holding a confidence vote, around December 15, when Roh touched on his intention of stepping down in case of no confidence. “President Roh urged the people to bear with mental anguish, admitting that his declaration would put the country into confusion until the vote is over,” reported AP news. Further adding to Roh’s comments, “His suggestion of a confidence vote is legally defective but, in case of reaching an agreement from the political circle, it would be lawful.”

“Bucketing about under the economy crisis and the corruption of his followers, President Roh set forth his intention of going through a confidence vote,” reported New York Times. Adding to that, “One of his followers, Choi Do-sul, the former presidential aide, fell under suspicion of taking over a lot of bribe – $100 million worth. Roh has been the target of criticism that asserted him to be blamed for not holding down offensive labor union effectively. Also, the tension on the peninsula has been built up since the North Korean Nuclear problem broke out.”

On the afternoon of this day, CNN had posted the news on its internet site, hooking up Roh’s speech with the former related news such as “Refusal of the cabinet members’ request of resignation.” CNN quoted Roh’s remark, “I’ve reached a point where I could not carry on presidential duties any longer.” Passing on, “For the sake of improvement in the Korean political world, it would be better not to fill in his remaining term, but walk out of his duty immediately.”

According to the result of a survey held recently, CNN reported, seven out of 10 Koreans are complaining about Roh’s way of carrying out his duties, but they prefer him remaining as president in order to avoid a quagmire.

“The decision of holding a confidence vote for its president is unprecedented in Korea. It has been conceived under the pressure that eggs on to unveil the suspicion of corruption,” passed on AFP.

Rae-Jeong Park ecopark@donga.com