S. Korean Protestants Assail Regime
- Share via
SEOUL, South Korea — The organization of major South Korean Protestant churches Friday accused the military-backed government of “utter disregard” for basic rights and endorsed an opposition demand for direct presidential elections.
In a strongly worded statement, the National Council of Churches in Korea declared its “full support” for the drive to obtain 10 million petition signatures demanding that the constitution be changed to allow a direct vote--before President Chun Doo Hwan fulfills a pledge to step down in 1988.
It was the second show of clerical support this week for direct elections. Last Sunday, Stephen Souhwan Kim, leader of the nation’s 1.5 million Roman Catholics, came out for the change.
The National Council of Churches, an alliance of six major Protestant denominations, says it represents 4 million people in this predominantly Buddhist country.
Critics charge that the current electoral college system will allow Chun to handpick his successor in the scheduled 1988 vote.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
