"The midterm evaluation was my promise to the people," Mr. Roh said.

In its resolution of 4 December 1997 on structural policy in Belgium, the European Parliament observed that Objective 4 appropriations were under-utilized and reiterated its call for unused resources to be transferred from Objective 4 to Objective 3 when undertaking the midterm evaluation.

The election was in part a midterm evaluation of President Kim, who is unpopular because of his autocratic style and frequent changes of position, and suspicions that he once received campaign funds from a former President, Roh Tae Woo, who is now on trial for amassing a huge slush fund.