8. Korean President wins poll easily

Press, 13 February 1981, Page 6

8. Korean President wins poll easily

NZPA-Reuter Seoul South Korea’s former Army strongman, President Chun Doo Hwan, yesterday was assured of a new sevenyear term of office during which he has pledged he will work to bring democracy to the country. The Government Central Election : Management Committee said President Chun’s Democratic Justice- Party secured more than two-tHirds of the 5278 electoral college membership in voting on Wednesday. A presidential candidate needs support from only a sirtiple majority in the . college to be elected under Mr Chun’s new Constitution, promulgated last October to dissolve the existing Parliament and political parties. The main Opposition Democratic Korea Party obtained less than one-third of the

total college .membership, according to the committee. Opposition parties conceded that the scheduled presidential election, on February 25 would now be a formality. Besides the successful Justice Party candidates, President Chun can expect support from many independent electors. Yoo Chi Song, leader and presidential candidate of the Democratic Korea Party, indicated he might withdraw from the presidential election if Mr Chun’s re-election became absolutely certain after the college vote. Two other presidential contenders, Kim Chong Chui of the Korea National Party and Kim Ui Taek of the Civil Rights Party, have also conceded already that there was little chance of winning the election.