CONFIDENTIAL
Classification
Charge:
LENT TO: SecState WASHINGTON 1332 ROUTINE
RPT INFO: TOKYO 433 ROUTINE
Control:
Date: June 13, 1960 7:00PM
Ref: Embtel 1321
Rump LP convention June 12 attended by approximately SO Assemblymen and some 650 party branch representatives. In contentious session, branch representatives pressed strongly for immediate resignation from Assembly all LP Assemblymen and introduced “resolution” to this effect. CHO Kyong-gyu, leader remnant LP Assemblymen, however, insisted LP must proceed with passage constitutional amendment before resigning, and motion as finally passed was modified to “recommend” immediate on bloc resignation. Change in wording apparently designed avoid placing LP Assemblymen under any firm commitment.
National Assembly today approved by vote 98 of 139 present (no objections recorded) Steering Committee recommendation to put constitutional amendment to vote on June 15 and to complete by that time second reading all other items agenda (Assembly election law, election committee bill. Government Organization Law, police reform bill, and Local Autonomy Law); final action other agenda items would come after passage constitutional amendment. Speaker KWAK Sang-hun urged questioning on constitutional amendment be completed today and called on DP Assemblymen withdraw requests to speak.
Before Assembly able resume questioning, however, proceedings disrupted briefly by outbreak DP factional squabble over charges of LP bribery of DP Assemblymen. This controversy has been brewing for several weeks since revelation that certain DP old factionists had received funds from ex-MinFinance SONG In-sang. Over weekend, press carried allegations that certain members of new faction also had received bribes and had given financial support to KO Chong-hun's campaign to block constitutional amendment. These latter charges sparked today's ruckus on Assembly floor which led to exchange blows between several DP Assemblymen. Order restored by Speaker Kwak who asserted this intra-party matter and not proper subject for discussion within Assembly.
Questioning on constitutional amendment then resumed with CHO Il-chae and YI Ch’ol-sung (both new faction) criticizing, inter alia, provision for indirect election president. Two other questioners, including one LP member, raised certain technical objections to bill. Questioning now completed, and final debate scheduled begin tomorrow.
During session this morning, small student demonstration staged outside Assembly building urging passage constitutional amendment. This group joined by deputation "bereaved families" who recently have been pressing Assembly for increased financial assistance to survivors war dead.
COMMENT: Since constitutional amendment introduced June 10 (Embtel 1321) there has been some increase tension in political atmosphere. Political observers, however, continue express guarded optimism that amendment bill will be passed around June 15.
LP convention outcome indicates that pressures for delay in passage amendment until after expiration election law statute of limitations (Embtel 1321) may have originated chiefly with local party branch members who may fear indictment. At time debate on arrest six LP Assemblymen (Embtel 1206) MinJustice stated that government not contemplating any further arrests Assemblymen on charge violation election law.
Recent outbreak factional squabble within DP appears related principally to maneuverings both sides in anticipation Assembly elections. Old faction has made no secret of its confidence that it will emerge from election in stronger position than followers of CHANG Myon. Although some substance to charges bribery involving old factionists, these probably magnified by new faction in effort discredit opponents. As Central Election Committee Chairman YI Yong-jun told Embassy officer today, however, principal effect this development likely be to delay central party approval nuclear branch nominations. Chairman Yi, although deploring probable effect this fight on popular standing of party, stated he did not believe issue would seriously affect passage of constitutional amendment. Yi stated, however, there may be some DP members (presumably from extreme wing of new faction) who might absent selves from voting on June 15.
POL: DLRanard DCM: MGreen McCONAUGHY
TPShoesmith: cd