Freedom's Price

In the dead of night last week in Seoul, the police cordon around the nondescript house of Dae Jung Kim soundlessly evaporated. President Chung Hee Park's government declared that there was "no longer" any need to hold the controversial opposition leader under protective custody. For the first time since he was mysteriously abducted from a Tokyo hotel room 2 1/2 months ago, Dae Jung Kim was free.

Or was he? In the hours following the end of his house arrest, there were clear indications that Kim, 48, had paid for his release with a promise to end his anti-Park political activities. Kim's own comments were uncharacteristically conciliatory. "My activities abroad had caused much trouble to the nation," he declared apologetically at a news conference. "Under the present circumstances, for me to engage in political activities would be meaningless." He hardly seemed to be the same compelling orator who, until this August, was calling President Park "an Asian version of Hitler" and proclaiming himself "the sole South Korean voice speaking against dictatorship and for freedom." Kim indicated that he might soon be allowed to leave the country for the U.S. to accept a fellowship at Harvard.

For the government in Seoul a bargain with Kim was highly desirable. The abduction incident caused tremendous indignation in Japan, where officials are convinced that the affair was carried out by the South Korean CIA in flagrant violation of Japanese sovereignty. Since Japan is its No. 1 investor, South Korea would like to get back in Tokyo's good graces and resume the all-important annual ministerial conference that was postponed as a result of Kim's disappearance. At week's end, however, it was still uncertain whether Seoul's action would have much effect in Japan. Justice Minister Isaji Tanaka said that he would not consider the case closed until Kim is allowed to visit Tokyo for a full investigation.

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