Korean Presidential Election 2007

President Roh's tenure is about to end and there are no less than 12 candidates for president. This amuses me as Australia recently had it's federal election, but unlike the Koreans (and Americans to a lesser extent) we do not like to delude ourselves by directly choosing a president. We understand that any leader has to deal with his/her party's policies (unsavoury as this may be, it is relatively safe as major parties do not often change their core policies) or in Korea and the USA, exorbitantly funded lobby groups. The latter I feel is far more dangerous as usually the only motivation for these lobby groups is the protection of private interests and profits.

That being said, there was a violent murder on the weekend. Contrary to popular belief, crime as well as other 'western' vices do exist in Korea. This particular incident involved a man in his 30s and two Korean soldiers. On our way to Itaewon, we noticed there were military road blocks set up at all the toll gates into and out of Seoul. We're talking scores of armed troops inspecting vehicles. It was only at the travel agent that I found out why.

Apparently, a man driving a 4WD (SUV for the North Americans) ran over two soldiers walking back to their barracks. Witnesses say he stopped and backed up as though it had been an accident. When the driver was close enough to the prone soldiers he stabbed them both (one later dying in hospital) and stole two K-2 rifles, ammunition and a grenade. The hunt is still on for the assailant who is believed to have served with the unit the attacked soldiers were serrving in. Some also speculate the man wil try to assassinate the presidential candidates.

The leading candidate in the election, Lee Myung Bak, has stated that he will not make any public appearances until the culprit is apprehended. To me, this raises a rather interesting question: Why would you elect a president that shows fear in the face of 'possible' terrorism?

Lee MB has also pledged to donate most of his $34 million wealth to charity regardless if he is ellected as Korea's next president.