Kim vs. Kim

For foes of South Korea's military-backed government, last week was both the best and the worst of times. On the one hand, an overwhelming 93% of voters approved a new constitution that calls for direct elections and guarantees human rights. On the other hand, a formal split between Leading Dissidents Kim Dae Jung, 63, and Kim Young Sam, 59, dimmed prospects for an opposition victory next month, when South Korea holds its first democratic presidential election in 16 years. The rupture increased chances that Roh Tae Woo, the ruling party's candidate, would emerge the winner.

After President Chun Doo Hwan bowed to protesters in June and agreed to hold direct presidential elections, the two Kims promised to settle on a single candidate. But neither would yield to the other. Kim Young Sam entered the race last month. Last week was Kim Dae Jung's turn. Acknowledging that his candidacy "might unintentionally benefit antidemocratic forces," the elder Kim nonetheless declared that he will seek the post "to fulfill my responsibility to history."

To set the stage for his candidacy, Kim Dae Jung bolted from the Reunification Democratic Party that he forged in April with Kim Young Sam. The final split came after Kim Dae Jung rejected the younger Kim's proposal to have the Reunification Democrats pick a single candidate. In an eleventh-hour appeal, Kim Young Sam then sent an aide to urge the more volatile Kim Dae Jung to remain inside the party. When that plea also failed, Kim Young Sam declared that he viewed the elder Kim's defection with "extreme regret." Taking 27 of the party's 70 National Assembly members with him, Kim Dae Jung formed a new faction tentatively called the Peace and Democracy Party.

Many Reunification Democrats were angered by the party's failure to choose one candidate, especially since the two Kims see almost eye-to-eye on the issues. That will make the election a four-way contest with Roh, who is campaigning as a champion of democracy but is opposed by student activists, and former Prime Minister Kim Jong Pil, a conservative long shot. Warned the Seoul Dong-A Ilbo, an influential paper: "The two must remember that a split in the opposition party means the breakup of power, resulting in self- destruction, for which both must assume political responsibility." The admonition, however, failed to impress the two Kims last week as they waged their campaigns, each confident that he will prevail once the ballots are counted.