Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=12/19/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=SOUTH KOREA/ELECTIONS (L)

NUMBER=2-297598

BYLINE=AMY BICKERS

DATELINE=SEOUL

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: South Koreans are now voting (Thursday) for a new president in an election that pits a human rights lawyer against a former Supreme Court judge. As V-O-A's Amy Bickers reports from Seoul, the two top candidates have differing views on how South Korea should deal with rival North Korea and that nation's nuclear ambitions.

TEXT: Voting is underway in South Korea, where the election has been overshadowed by concerns over North Korea's nuclear program and a wave of anti-U-S sentiment in South Korea.

Lee Hoi-chang, (PRONO: EE-WAY-CHUNG) the candidate for the opposition Grand National Party, says that the current administration's policy of engaging the communist North has failed. He believes contacts should be frozen until the North suspends its nuclear programs.

Roh Moo-hyun (PRONO: NO-MOO-HEE-UN) of the ruling Millennium Democratic Party says that dialogue with the North is the only way forward, and warns that the future of the South Korean people is at stake. Mr. Roh is known as the political heir to current leader Kim Dae-jung, who will step down in February after a five-year term. The constitution bars him from running again.

Mr. Roh is popular among young and reform-minded voters, while Mr. Lee draws support from conservative sections of society.

The race is considered extremely tight, with the two candidates virtually neck and neck (tied).

Hours before the polls opened, Mr. Roh lost the backing of his coalition partner because of a political squabble. Chung Mong-joon, South Korea's top soccer official and a former presidential candidate, broke with Mr. Roh for reasons that remain unclear.

But at a polling station in Seoul, Mr. Roh's supporters say they are still behind him.

/// VOX POP #1 IN KOREAN, FADE UNDER ///

A 34-year old man says he voted for Mr. Roh because he feels he can best solve the current problems plaguing inter-Korean relations problem. He adds that Mr. Roh will also reform South Korea's political system, if elected.

/// VOX POP #2 IN KOREAN, FADE TO ENGLISH ///

But this 60-year old man says he voted for Mr. Lee because he has more experience than his rival.

Anti-American sentiment in South Korea is also at play in this election. Huge protests have taken place since two American soldiers were acquitted last month of charges that their armored vehicle hit and killed two Korean schoolgirls.

Both candidates agree that the legal pact governing the 37-thousand U-S forces in South Korea should be revised. However the conservative Mr. Lee is seen as having a closer relationship with Washington than Mr. Roh, who has never visited the United States and is considered to have a more independent policy approach. (SIGNED)

NEB/HK/AB/JO