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I. Introduction
The creation of the Yushin regime (1972-76) runs counter to class cal modernization theory. The latter claims that "Democracy is related to the state of economic development; the more well-to-do a nation, the greater the chances that it will sustain democracy."1 The Republic of Korea (ROK) achieved a remarkable degree of economic growth during former president Park's regime. However, this growth was not accompanied by democracy. Instead, it culminated in the imposition of an authoritarian Yushin regime.
Modified modernization theory, which stresses "political order," argues more specifically that stability leads to democracy.2 In the ROK's political stability was seen as a precondition for the two primary national goals: "economic development and national security." It had eventually a justification for the constitutional amendment so called "Yushin". Suppression to opposition party against the amendment and kidnapping of Kim Dae-jung to Korea in 1973 caused complications in political relationship between Korea and Japan. While this issue was resolved through political settlement, no legal settlement was achieved. The emotional resentment between the two people remained unresolved. The growing economic relationship only masked deep-seated resentment with the ROK. Thus, the Yushin regime suffered "chronic instability" and Park had to use Presidential Emergency Measures to secure order.3 The regime finally collapsed amid political turmoil, with riots and the disruption of parliamentary politics.
However, whole affairs about Kim's kidnapping incident have been wrapped in mystery for 28 years since the occurrence of the incident. The case has faded away from memories of Korean and Japanese people and hushed into a stream of history. President Kim Dae-jung, who was the victim of the incident, may expect to throw light upon the whole affairs of the incident but it seems that it is very hard work to establish the identity of the distorted truth of history. Fortunately, newly-raised testimonies and corroborative facts for the incident have been disclosed as years go by but it is wanting in ability to predict the truth of the incident.
In the February 2001, issue of Bunkeishunchu, the most popular monthly magazine in Japan, an article entitled "I observed the bribery scene of 400 million Yen by Tanaka Kakuei" by Kimura Hiroyasu, who was the former member of congress in Niikataken (prefecture), was disclosed and it was...