Re: S.K. constitution

[<Jhk789@aol.com>]

In a message dated 1/2/2003 6:19:01 AM Pacific Standard Time, Home@DanSources.com writes:


> I do not think any of that was in place with Rhee. 
> Until after the War... 


No.
S.K. had a constitution when it was founded in 1948.
It provided for an indirect election for president.
The national assembly elected the president.

Rhee's party lost big in the national assembly election
in May 1950. Thus, Rhee faced a major political crisis.
He could not be re-elected by the national assembly for a second term. 
So, he had strong motive to save his rule by starting the war
During the War, he jailed many opposition assemblymen under martial law
and sent police to round up the rest of unwilling assemblymen to vote for a constitutional amendment that allowed him to run for president in direct election
by popular vote. He amended the constitution one more time later
to allow him to run for a third term. Yes, he was a ruthless dictator.
Yet, Uncle Sam still loved him.

jk