New President in Seoul eases up on martial law

President Chun Doo Hwan is easing martial law and will lift entirely before a new presidential election is held next March. South Korea's military clamped full martial law over the country during violent riots last spring over to civilians. In his first press conference since his election, President Chun also said South Korea will have a new administration by the end of next June after parliamentary elections in late April or May. The decree was timed to pave the way for the scheduled voting on a national referendum Wednesday to decide whether to adopt a new constitution to replace the present one, put through by President Park in 1972.