In reaction to an incident on 24 August involving the mutiny of a number of 'military convicts,' ROK Air Force Chief of Staff and Minister of Defense have resigned, and the government agencies concerned with the maintenance of public security and order are being discredited.

The ROK government deals with student protesters by reopening schools, but the government and National Assembly is still divided. The functionality of the National Assembly depends on the relationship between the NDP and DRP. Additionally, all sides share displeasure from all over US Secretary of Defense's statement that the US will not longer provide ground troops for future Asian conflicts.

In connection with the presidential and National Assembly elections, violent clashes between police forces and the opposition NDP have taken place. Accusations from both NDP and DRP are being slung, and the current ruling party DRP is using the fear of potential North Korean subversion to repress the opposition party.

In a drastic change from previous policy, President Park Chung Hee called for the peaceful reunification of the peninsula. One of the prerequisites would be North Korea's uneqivocal acceptance of the competence and authority of the UN. Some believe that the strength of the ROK economy and SALT program may have prompted Park's change in attitude.