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Troubled economy on the minds of S. Korean voters
December 16, 1997
South Korea's economic crisis is a top concern for most voters
Web posted at: 10:12 a.m. EST (1512 GMT)From Seoul Bureau Chief Sohn Jie-Ae
SEOUL, South Korea (CNN) -- When South Koreans go to the polls Thursday to choose a new president, the country's economy will be foremost on the minds of many voters.
A burgeoning economic crisis has forced South Korea to turn to the International Monetary Fund, which arranged bailout loans worth almost $60 billion, but only after the Seoul government agreed to undertake painful restructuring measures.
And although the candidates are still out shopping for votes, the voters don't seem to be buying.
"I've totally lost faith in the politicians," one man said.
The reason may be simply because the elections are politics as usual.
A L S O :
South Korea Election Profile
"This is an election once again pretty much devoid of discussion over key issues facing our society. It's been an election of personalities once again," said Roh Kyung-soo, of Seoul National University.
Of the three main candidates, Lee Hoi-chang is seen, perhaps, as the only representative of new politics in the race. Despite waving the ruling party banner, the 63-year-old is viewed by many as leading the way to a generational change in Korean politics.
Kim Dai-jung, or DJ as he's called, is a long-standing opponent of the political establishment he's long dreamed of heading. Kim Dai-jung, 73, says he'll be more flexible toward North Korea, a stand that's gotten him in trouble before and caused him to be labeled the North's candidate.
And then there's Rhee In-je, the 49-year-old who is appealing for a return to the "good old days" of authoritative rule.
View portions of some of the first TV commercials used in a South Korean presidential campaign Ad #1 1.8M/13 sec./320x240
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QuickTime movieAd #2 1.6M/12 sec./320x240
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QuickTime movieBut for the majority of Koreans, the political rhetoric this time around is not as important as the state of their pocketbooks.
"I'm going to vote for the person who is able to secure jobs," one man said.
"I think the most important point is who is going to get us out of this economic crisis," one woman said.
With the economic crisis continuing to unfold, Kyung-soo says the words to describe what voters are feeling are "despondency, frustration, (a) very deep sense of loss, anger and I guess frustration probably sums up the best."
Though candidates so far have been cheered on by strong supporters, voters are going to the polls expecting them to come up with some real solutions to their real problems.
Related stories:
- Amid protests, S. Korean candidates back IMF agreement - December 13, 1997
- Financial woes keep South Korea in turmoil - December 12, 1997
- Economic jitters as South Korea's presidential race begins - November 26, 1997
- With IMF bailout, South Korea braces for belt-tightening - November 22, 1997
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