Blood in the Water?

Call it South Korea's Schwarzenegger option, minus the celebrity. Hong Jun Pyo, a lawmaker with the conservative Grand National Party, says beleaguered President Roh Moo Hyun's recent call for a national referendum to gauge confidence in his leadership doesn't go far enough. Hong argues that if a vote is to be held, Roh's name isn't the only one that should appear on a ballot—he should face off against another candidate. "People are afraid of confusion and instability," says Hong. "They want an alternative, like in California."

Hong's idea isn't official Grand National Party policy. But if it catches...