hankyoreh

By Jang Bong-kun

Under the title, “The Revolutionary Guard Corps desert him...” Yoido Full Gospel Church senior pastor David Yonggi Cho kicks the framed portrait of President Lee Myung-bak, dressed as Libyan dictator Col. Muammar el-Quaddafi, shouting, “Hya!” urging him to step down.

Three revolutionary guards representing South Korea’s three major conservative newspapers the Chosun Ilbo, Joongang Ilbo and Dong-A Ilbo or “ChoJoongDong,” also close in on President Lee’s portrait.

The last bastions of Quaddafi’s regime are the Revolutionary Guard Corps, Libyan paramilitary elite unit composed of 3,000 men hand-picked from Gaddafi’s tribal group in the Surt region, militias and mercenaries.

Christian conservatives including pastor Cho and the ChoJoongDong backed Lee’s presidential election campaign and protected him from criticism of people and opposition parties.

Pastor Cho, however, warned of a campaign for President Lee Myung-bak’s resignation over the Islamic bond bill the day before the third anniversary of Lee’s inauguration. Conservative newspapers ChoJoongDong have also signaled a possible departure from the Lee administration.

(Hankyoreh Geurimpan Feb. 26)