When Park had trouble deciding whether to run
Those who opposed the formation of the DRP insisted that the revolutionary forces, including leader Park Chung Hee, must return to the military as promised in a declaration of promises to the people made on the night of the May 16 revolution [coup].
Then-Defense Minister Park Byung-kwon and Army Chief of Staff Kim Jong-oh were in the powerful circle that demanded Park return to the military. They had resented me, thinking that I - a mere colonel in the army - was taking the lead in setting the country’s course.
But the opposition only made me more determined to launch the DRP. I was preoccupied with the goal of providing Park with a support base strong enough for him to seize power as an elected president. I was increasingly worried that the revolution for which I risked my life could end up achieving nothing - unless we took the highest office with Park as the national leader.
What are you talking about?” I said. “Think about why we carried out the revolution, putting our lives at risk. We did it to rebuild this country. We can’t stop our mission just because some oppose your bid for the presidency.”
Park nodded and seemed to change his mind. But the increasing pressure got to him again a few days later, forcing me to come back to change his mind again.
On Feb. 18, the chiefs of staff of the Army, Air Force and Navy visited Park’s office and reiterated their demand that he go back to the military no matter what. Park gave in to their pressure. That afternoon, Park stood before a camera to announce a declaration that he would not participate in the soon-to-be formed civilian government, meaning he would forsake any bid for the presidency.
The situation was getting increasingly urgent. I came to the conclusion that I should go in self-exile overseas to ease growing complaints against me and Park. Two days after Park’s declaration, I announced I would resign from all of my posts.
On Feb. 20, I went to Park’s Supreme Council office to tell him about my overseas trip.
“All the attacks have targeted me,” I explained. “It is in the best interest of all of us that I take leave for some time out of the country. You will have more space to use your political capital in my absence.”
A somber Park said, “Okay. I will take care of the mess once you leave.”
He must have faced a dilemma over what to do with me. While he was very aware of my role in cementing the revolutionary government and the building up of his future political support, too many were calling on me to leave the inner circle.
Park tried to console me. “Don’t think of your trip overseas as a hardship,” he said. “You will blossom like a flower after you get through a tough time.”
The next day, I saw Park again. He was having a chat with his longtime friend Suh Jeong-gui, who had repeatedly told him to return to the army. He was telling Park the same thing that night, which made me bristle.
“Mr. Suh, do you have any idea how we carried out the revolution in order to bring in a new set of rules? If you are going to keep saying the same thing to Park, you’d better leave now.”
I turned to Park, “The DRP will be launched as scheduled in five days. You can still make the best out of the new party for your political career even without me. With it, you will have a strong support base to become the next president.”
It was already past 1 a.m. and Park stopped me from leaving the office. “Suh was trying to help me with his advice. Don’t be mad at him.” I returned to my seat and the three of us drank until 3 a.m.
On Feb. 25, my family and I boarded a plane for a trip that had no scheduled end. During a press briefing shortly before I left for the airport, I was bombarded with questions as to why I was leaving the country.
I answered with a smile, “I am going on this trip half voluntarily and half forcibly.”
A day after I left the country, the DRP had a launch ceremony with 1,339 delegates in attendance. As I predicted, Park was nominated the party’s candidate for president. I followed the race and Park’s election through news reports in San Francisco. My first overseas exile ended on Oct. 23, a week after Park won. I initially thought my overseas trip would last about 50 days. It ended up being over eight months before my family and I returned to Korea.
COMPLIED BY CHUN YOUNG-GI, KANG JIN-KYU [kang.jinkyu@joongang.co.kr]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
To write comments, please log in to one of the accounts.
Standards Board Policy (0/250자)