of wire services remained incomplete by the end of the

year.

There were two "slip-of-the-pen" cases in 1962. One

involved the Tonga Ilbo and the other the Hanguk Ilbo,
daily newspapers in Seoul. In each case, persons in-
volved were detained briefly by the authorities for
questioning.

Whenever such cases occurred, the press repeatedly

requested authorities concerned to open up the sources

of information. In a press conference held on Dec. 1,

Chairman Park stressed the necessity of widening

information sources, instructing all government

organizations to carry out positive public information

activities.

It can be said safely that 1962 was an eventful year

for the pressdom of Korea.

Preparations for Civil Rule Expedited

FROM 1962'S MID-WAY ON, the revolutionary gov-
ernment busily engaged in expediting constitutional
amendments and other prerequisite subjects in prepara-
tion for the scheduled transfer of the government to
civilian hands.

The government-proposed amendments to the consti-
tution was approved by the people in a national refer-
endum held on Dec. 17, and the Supreme Council started
on deliberating a political party law in the spirit of the
newly established constitution.

Although the Supreme Council also drafted a presi-
dential election law and a national assemblymen elec-
tion law, no concrete contents of these bills had been
announced by the end of the year.

In view of the remarks of Chairman Park and other
legislators, it was presumed that the political party law
contained no provisions that might make the formation
of political parties difficult.

With regard to the national assemblymen election
law, besides its principle of strict public management
method, it was reported that the law would adopt a
proportional representation system for the first time in
the political history of Korea in addition to the conven-
tional majority representative system based on a small
minor constituency arrangement.

This plan emerged as an established fact when CIA

Director Kim mentioned it during his visit to the United

States. He said: "Through a proportional representa-

tion system, the revolutionary elite will also partici-

pate in the civilian government to consummate the

nation's revolutionary tasks." Prior to this, he had

made it public that the civilian government which

would be established in 1963 would be a "transitional"

civilian government.

Then, there followed lively discussions on the meth-

ods through which the revolutionary leaders would be
participating in the civilian government.

Some circles maintained that the Supreme Councilors
and other revolutionary mainstreams could run in the
forthcoming elections without being put on the reserve
list first. This contention constituted a clear contrast
with the then prevailing notion that they were unable
to run for the presidency or for the national assembly
as active service officers.

At one time, there were also arguments that certain
provisions on the future status of the Supreme Coun-
cilors should be written into the supplementary rules
of the proposed new constitution, which, however, was
rejected by Chairman Park. It was decided, therefore,
that the future status of the councilors was a matter
that should be solved on an individual basis.

Should a proportional representation system be en-
forced, it was anticipated that a considerable number
of the Supreme Councilors would be elected. Be that as
it may, towards the end of the year, there was already
a remarkable phenomenon-an indication that many
reserve officers, even though they were not revolution-
ary elite, would run for the national assembly in
provincial areas.

1962 Witnesses Changes

THE YEAR 1962 SAW many social changes. They
will go down in history.

Establishment of a new constitution, currency re-
form, collapse of stock market . . . these and many
other events occurred one after another.

There were also two counter-revolutionary cases;
and on the other side of the picture, there were also
many international events held in Korea-the music
festival, film festival of the Federation of Motion Pic-
ture Producers in Asia, industrial fair, etc.

Revolutionary tasks of the country, which will be

carried out continuously in 1963, were expedited

throughout the year of 1962.

Who would be the successor to the leader of the revo-

lutionary tasks cannot be easily predicted. This much

is true, however, that, even under a revolutionary set-

up, the over-all political phase of the country was mov-

ing steadily towards the restoration of a civilian

government.

Just like 1961 that preceded, 1962, too, was unmis-

takably a revolutionary year, during the most part of
which martial law was enforced. Everybody wanted
that it be lifted as soon as possible; and it was finally
withdrawn on Dec. 5 for the sake of establishing a
new order in the country.

Many memorable events occurred in 1962; and much
was accomplished in preparation for a new era. The
people of Korea then confidently moved to another year
of hope, prosperity, and expectation.