Korean Democrats Win, Wrangle Over Premier

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29271, 1 August 1960, Page 11

Korean Democrats Win, Wrangle Over Premier

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

SEOUL, July 31.

More post-election violence flared today as South Korea’s victorious Democratic Party began wrangling over the choice of a Prime Minister. Mr John M. Chang, a former Ambassador to the United States and a veteran of political wars against the ousted President Rhee, was slightly favoured to capture the Premiership by virtue of the fact that his Democratic faction emerged slightly stronger in the new ruling House of Representatives than the anti-Chang Democratic faction.

The Central Election Commission today confirmed that the Democratic Party won more than two-thirds of the seats in South Korea’s new House of Representatives. The commission said that with counting in 210 of 233 districts completed, the Democrats won in 161 districts. This was five more than a two-thirds majority. The commission said the other candidates elected in the July 29 general elections were 42 independents, four Socialists, one Liberal and two others representing minor parties. Earljer reports said three Liberals were elected. The commission’s latest announcement listed these Liberals as independents. It was not immediately known how many of the independents were actually Liberals. Returns were incomplete in 23 districts. In nine of these districts elections will be held again because ballot boxes and votes were burned by students and youths. In another nine districts ballot counting was interrupted by sporadic demonstrations and other disturbances. Other districts had not voted because ballot boxes were not available at voting stations on South Korea’s numerous outlying islands. Counting was still in progress in three other districts. The rival Democratic ’ factions met separately today. The antiChang group, headed by Voon 80-Sung, served notice that it recognised no claim by Mr Chang merely because he was titular head of the party. Sporadic violence, in which two persons have died and more than 50 have been injured, cintinued. Police arrested an angry mob of 49 persons including a Democratic candidate at Sam Chong. 200 miles south of Seoul, accusing them of burning 33 ballot boxes. The mob invaded a counting station during the night after hearing that the Democrat was trailing the independent candidate. Tax Relief For Cinemas.— The Western Australian Government will grant tax relief to cinemas that have been hit by television and hotel entertainment. The Premier (Mr Brand) said that all picture theatre proprietors would be given an entertainment tax refund of up to £2O a week.— Perth, July 30.