New South Korea Leader Sworn In

Kim Dae-jung, once South Korea's leading dissident, became its president Wednesday, pledging to revive the nation's economy and end corrupt, authoritarian rule.

Kim was sworn in before 45,000 people in a plaza in front of the National Assembly -- the same place where he used to castigate the country's military dictators at opposition rallies.

Among those in attendance at the inauguration were two past targets of Kim's ire -- former presidents Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo, ex-army generals who took power in a coup in 1979, arrested Kim on sedition charges and condemned him to death.

At that time, he was persecuted. This time, he was honored with dancers in flowing gowns, the release of 1,500 doves and a 21-gun salute.

But Kim pledged not to seek revenge for his years of struggle under previous rulers in the 1970s and 80s, including what he believes were at least three assassination attempts. Instead, he focused his inauguration speech on praising democracy and rallying South Koreans to combat the country's economic ills.

"Today is a proud day when a democratic transition of power is taking place on this soil for the first time," Kim said.

Acknowledging the problems facing him in restoring South Korea's shattered economy, Kim urged his opponents to give him a honeymoon "if only for one year -- this year -- when the nation is standing on the brink of disaster."

Ranked as the world's 11th largest only six months ago, South Korea's economy plummeted late last year and had to be bailed out by the International Monetary Fund with a record aid package of $57 billion.

"Democracy and the market economy are two sides of a coin or two wheels of a cart," he said. "Every nation that has embraced both democracy and a market economy has been successful."

But just hours after his inauguration, the honeymoon was over. Kim's opponents blocked ratification of his choice for prime minister.

In its first action since taking power, Kim's minority governing party asked the National Assembly to ratify the nomination of Kim Jong-pil, a former government intelligence chief. Jong-pil is currently the president's coalition partner.

But the unicameral legislature couldn't even convene because the majority Grand National Party boycotted the session. The majority party represents the powerful business and political groups that have ruled South Korea for 50 years.

The fight over the nomination boded ill for the new president's ability to overcome vested interests and enact the political and economic reforms he has promised.

But if relations look bleak in South Korea, Kim has already made some headway with the country's closest neighbor.

Earlier, Kim had proposed a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Il. In an apparent response to Kim's offer, North Korea said last week that it is willing to talk with the new South Korean government -- something it has refusd to do for years.

Written by Paul Shin.
©1998 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed