A turbulent political career leads Roh to presidential bid

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A turbulent political career leads Roh to presidential bid

Roh Moo-hyun, the ruling Millennium Democratic Party's presidential candidate, began his political career 14 years ago. But he could have faded into obscurity if not for the 1988 hearings into the corrupt Chun Doo Hwan government.

Television viewers were mesmerized by Mr. Roh's relentless questioning of the Hyundai Group's chairman, Chung Ju-yung, the former state intelligence agency chief, Chang Se-dong, and the former Blue House security chief, Ahn Hyun-tae, before the National Assembly.

More than 50 percent of the nation's viewers saw the hearings. "I stood out not because I proved new facts, but because I successfully demoralized the witnesses," Mr. Roh recalled.

But Mr. Roh's popularity was short-lived. The national assemblyman was widely criticized a month and a half later because of a remark he allegedly made during a Hyundai Heavy Industry strike.

"The law should be respected only when it stands for justice. When it does not, it doesn't have to be respected," Mr. Roh was quoted in national dailies as saying. To this day, he contends that the quote was fabricated, and alleges that reporters and the company colluded to smear his reputation.

Despite his protestations, he has made similar statements throughout his political career.

When campaigning for Busan's mayoral post in 1995, he acknowledged that, "Punishing illegal street vendors is the right of the district office. However, I still believe that livelihood is more important than law."

And, when serving as the minister of maritime affairs and fisheries last year, Mr. Roh said, "Although some fishermen are working illegally, we cannot punish them because they are doing that for their living."

During the 1988 Hyundai Heavy Industry strike, however, the controversy surrounding his alleged statement was so heated that he submitted his resignation from the National Assembly early the next year. However, Mr. Roh withdrew his resignation at the behest of the president of his party, Kim Young-sam.

This was hardly the end of the turbulence that has since marked Mr. Roh's political career.

On Dec. 31, 1989, as the former president, Mr. Chun, testified before the National Assembly about the Gwangju democratization movement massacre, Mr. Roh suddenly leaped from his chair and hurled his nameplate. Because of his behavior, the hearing was adjourned.

Members of the opposition party criticized Mr. Roh for his outburst. He counters, "I did not throw the nameplate toward Mr. Chun. I threw it to the ground."

A month later, Mr. Roh made a critical political choice. He chose not to join a new political coalition, the Democratic Liberal Party. It was formed by the ruling Democratic Justice Party, led by Roh Tae-woo, the Reunification Democratic Party led by Kim Young-sam, and the Republican Party led by Kim Jong-pil. Mr. Roh criticized Kim Young-sam for betraying their party and broke off their longstanding relationship.

To unite the opposition, Mr. Roh in 1991 joined the Party for Peace and Democracy led by Kim Dae-jung, creating the New Democratic Union. At the outset, Mr. Roh had misgivings.

"When Mr. Roh first joined Kim Dae-jung in 1991, he didn't have good feelings toward him," says former lawmaker Yoo Ihn-tae.

In the primary for party president, Mr. Roh demanded that the election system be changed because the primary electorates were mostly from Jeolla province, Kim Dae-jung's home region.

The New Democratic Union ultimately held an assembly in Daejeon to revise the party platform and regulations.

"Because Mr. Roh criticized all the affairs of the party, Kim Dae-jung asked me to persuade Mr. Roh [to follow the party line]," Mr. Yoo recalled.

Mr. Roh, meanwhile, who held a seat in the National Assembly representing Busan district, suffered from the departure of Kim Young-sam. In 1992 and 1995, Mr. Roh lost in Busan's general and mayoral elections.

Embittered by the new coalition, Mr. Roh repeatedly said that Kim Young-sam would never be a presidential candidate. Then, after Kim Dae-jung lost the presidential election to Kim Young-sam in 1992, Mr. Roh stated that "Kim Dae-jung has no will, nor a chance, to return to the political arena." Both predictions, of course, proved wrong.

Political observers commented that Mr. Roh's career was limited because he had never studied governmental policy. His lack of a clear political agenda and inexperience was evident in the 1988 general election, when he failed to establish an agenda for his campaign and instead attacked corruption.

Just before the 1996 general election, Kim Dae-jung launched the National Congress for New Politics. Mr. Roh decided to remain in the New Democratic Union, criticizing the founding of the new party. From that point, Mr. Roh seemed to have his sights on the presidency.

Lee Gang-cheol, one of Mr. Roh's supporters, recalls that in 1997 he suggested that Mr. Roh run for president. Mr. Roh seemed surprised, but responded "that would be delightful," Mr. Lee recalls.

However, Mr. Roh instead joined the National Congress for New Politics in 1997 and became vice president. The party was formed to support Kim Dae-jung in the presidential election.

When Kim Dae-jung won the presidential election, Mr. Roh says he went to the bookstore and bought and studied every text on Kim Dae-jung.

Under President Kim, Mr. Roh built his dream of becoming the next president. When Mr. Roh's mother died in 1998, and he returned to his hometown, his friends wondered why he had joined the political party representing the Jeolla region. "When I become a presidential candidate, it will become a party representing Gyeongsang provinces," Mr. Roh reportedly replied.

Two years ago, Mr. Roh ran for the 16th general election in Busan. Political watchers said his decision was based on his plans to run for the presidency.

President Kim was shocked to hear the news. He called Mr. Roh to the Blue House for consultations.

Later, Mr. Roh said that he told the president: "I may say something that makes you uncomfortable during my campaign in Busan."

Mr. Kim reportedly replied, "If the speech is reasonable, I don't mind."

"Some may say that I am stabbing you in the back," Mr. Roh said.

"Don't worry about that," Mr. Kim said, adding, "Mr. Roh, I also graduated from a commercial high school. Politics are the challenge for those with dreams."

Since then, President Kim has supported Mr. Roh at all costs. "When Mr. Roh suggested selling Samsung Motor to Daewoo Motor, he could meet the Blue House senior economic adviser right away and discuss the matter," said Jung Yoon-jae, one of Mr. Roh's aides.

Mr. Roh was able to do all he wanted in his Busan election campaign. "Until now, I have spent double the legal limit of election expenses. But, still, some things I just can't win," Mr. Roh told reporters after losing the election in Busan in 2000.

The defeat, however, bore a fruit. A group of Internet users supporting Mr. Roh, called "Nosamo," was formed after he lost the election. And, generally, the failed campaign improved his image as a politician.

Later in the year, President Kim appointed Mr. Roh to the post of minister of maritime affairs and fisheries.

It was not the job Mr. Roh wanted. After his appointment, he told his aides that he wanted the job of minister of health and affairs to work on medical reform. A senior Millennium Democratic Party member said there was considerable discussion about what appointment Mr. Roh should get. "I recommended him for labor minister, but the president denied the proposal, saying Mr. Roh might have difficulty remaining in balance."

As minister of maritime affairs and fisheries, Mr. Roh's most pressing concern was the allocation of government bailout money to help the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives. The Ministry of Finance and Economy wanted to spin off the cooperatives' banking operations, but the cooperatives opposed the plan.

Using phones, e-mails and meetings over lunch and dinner, Mr. Roh brokered a compromise between the two parties within two months of his appointment.

In February 2001, Mr. Roh became embroiled in yet another dispute, for allegedly declaring, "It is time for politicians to begin a war against the press." Mr. Roh denies making the remark, reportedly made during the government's controversial tax probes of South Korea's media companies.

However, Mr. Roh's strong stance supporting the government's use of aggressive measures to thwart criticism by the media ultimately helped him build support and carve his way to the presidential candidacy within the Millennium Democratic Party.

by Special Reporting Team

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