As allies, rivals, Kims left mark

President Kim Dae-jung left the Blue House yesterday, bringing to a close the so-called “Kims era” in Korean politics. For more than three decades the president and his predecessor, former President Kim Young-sam, dominated the political scene. The two men were allies in the struggle against past military dictators, but were bitter rivals in the pursuit of power. Their struggles as democracy activists ended 26 years under the stringent military rule of Park Chung Hee and Chun Doo Hwan.
Their combined 10 years in office saw broad changes to Korean society, challenging many of the mores of the older generation that built Korea’s industrial base.
Corruption scandals and power struggles dogged the Kim administrations. They failed, in large part, to shake off the legacy of Korea’s traditionally imperialistic presidency. Regionalism in politics persisted, perhaps even growing worse in the midst of their rivalry despite promises by both men to curb voting along regional lines. Kim Dae-jung drew his support from the Jeolla provinces and Kim Young-sam from the Gyeongsang provinces.
The two Kims paved the way for Roh Moo-hyun, who will be inaugurated as Korea’s 16th president today. Kim Young-sam convinced Mr. Roh to go into politics, and Mr. Roh eventually became the standard bearer of the party founded by Kim Dae-jung.
The two Kims’ first showdown was in 1971 when they both sought the presidential nomination of the then opposition New Democratic Party. Kim Dae-jung defeated Kim Young-sam in that first battle.
Both men suffered at the hands of then President Park after he proclaimed a state of national emergency. Kim Dae-jung was almost drowned at sea after he was kidnapped by government intelligence agents. The Park administration barred newspapers from printing his full name. Chun Doo Hwan’s military regime sentenced Mr. Kim to death for conspiring to overthrow the government. In 1981, he sought refuge in the United States.
Kim Young-sam endured the ordeal with firm conviction. Former President Park forced him out of his seat at the National Assembly. He went on a 23-day fast to protest the Chun regime’s ban on all forms of political activity and held secret meetings of democracy activists.
Their ordeal burnished their activist credentials in the eyes of many. In 1984 they teamed up to fight for democratic elections. Followers of Kim Young-sam, known as the Sangdo-dong faction, and the Donggyo-dong faction, loyal to Kim Dae-jung, served as middle managers in the coalition. The two factions would later become the source of numerous graft allegations.
In 1987, the alliance ended and the two Kims became bitter political rivals. In 1987, the two men ran against Roh Tae-woo for president. They split the opposition vote, handing the election to Mr. Roh, who had been hand-picked to succeed former President Chun. Many of their supporters became disillusioned by the two Kims’ self-complaisance and lust for power. Many no longer saw them as self-sacrificing idealists defending the cause of democracy, but as political operators willing to use ethically questionable means to seize power.
In 1992, Kim Young-sam formed an alliance with then President Roh and other behind-the-scenes political heavyweights. He easily beat Kim Dae-jung in the presidential election that year. While he had his share of success, Kim Young-sam’s administration was tainted by the conviction of his son on corruption charges.
Kim Dae-jung returned to politics in 1995, despite having announced his retirement after losing to his long-time rival in the ’92 presidential race. He defended the reversal, saying the people wanted a real change. In 1997, he made a successful run for the Blue House. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2000 for his efforts to build peace on the Korean Peninsula and successfully rescued the nation from financial crisis. But critics said division between generations, regions and ideologies grew worse during his tenure.

by Chun Young-gi