Practical Advice

Viewed from any angle, South Korea's junta boss, Lieut. General Pak Chung Hi, is undeniably a dictator. Though he goes through the motions of preserving some semblance of freedom for South Korea--he has released many political prisoners, avoided firing squads and show trials--Pak is determined to keep power out of the hands of civilian politicians and a freewheeling legislature until the nation's economy and society are ready for what he considers these "luxuries."

Pak's idol is Pakistan's Sandhurst-trained soldier-boss, Field Marshal Mohammed Ayub Khan, who shares the same jaundiced view of democracy available too soon in a largely illiterate nation. For weeks, Pak and his fellow junta leaders, all soldiers, studied Ayub's techniques and pondered the advice of the new U.S. ambassador in Seoul, Samuel Berger. Berger's practical counsel: Hang on to power if you will, but give the people some timetable for a return of democracy. Pak has done just that. Last week he announced that the reins of government will indeed be handed back to South Korea's civilians --but not for two more years. Even then, the country may not be wholly free. "There are two kinds of democracy," commented a high-ranking junta aide. "One pursues complete freedom, as in the U.S., where there is a high degree of education. The other one is guided democracy. The latter will suit Korea."

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