Clad in a battle fatigue uniform, General Chang Do Yung - leader of the military junta which seized power in South Korea May 16 - appeared before the press in Seoul May 19 to speak of the new regime's policy, the first aim of which was improvement of the national welfare.

He told journalists that 1,930 suspected communist sympathisers had been put under lock and key by 8.30 a.m. that day. Leading officials of Prime Minister John Chang's former Government were confined to their homes while their past political activities were investigated. General Chang said that any crime traceable to them "would be properly dealt with".

The General said that the Army planned to distribute 45,000 tone of rice from Government reserves to needy farmers and the poor before the end of this year. The military would encourage barley consumption. His military committee were to keep South Korea as a "democratic republic", for the time being keeping supreme power in their hands.

Meanwhile, hundreds of students marched through the streets of the capital carrying banners proclaiming their support of the new regime. This demonstration was followed by a large parade through the city of Air Force cadets shouting their approval of General Chang's coup.

On May 20, the military junta announced the formation of a 14-man cabinet to replace the ousted Government of Premier John Chang - Mr Chang has been put under guard in one room of his house. At the same time, President Po Sun Yun retracted his 24-hour-old resignation and agreed to remain in office as head of State.