Hailed as the Nelson Mandela of South Korea, President Kim Dae Jung evoked a very different image on his recent trip to the United States for one prominent Korean American journalist: that of former Korean strongman Syngman Rhee. She worries that an enormous ego could prevent Kim from realizing his potential, much as it crippled Rhee. Kapson Yim Lee is the editor of the Korea Times Bilingual Edition published in Los Angeles.

LOS ANGELES -- During his visit to the United States, South Korean President Kim Dae Jung was hailed in the media as the most genuine democratic leader of his country.

Unfortunately, many American journalists didn't see the Kim I saw, a man of enormous ego.

That side of Kim was revealed on at least two important occasions: a nationally televised interview and a reception with Korean Americans in Los Angeles.

When he appeared on the "News Hour with Jim Lehrer," Kim came across as a stone-faced, mumbling, shallow politician with limited English proficiency. It is impossible to understand why Kim chose to speak in English -- he would have done himself and his audience a favor by using interpreters as most foreign heads of state do.

Dong Gil Kim, a prominent historian and columnist in South Korea, has accused Kim of displaying overconfidence in many areas. Certainly on U.S. television, he exposed himself as a self-righteous leader who doesn't know what he doesn't know.

At the Los Angeles reception for Korean Americans, on the other hand, Kim -- like all past South Korean presidents -- emphasized the importance of Korean Americans becoming good U.S. citizens and maintaining two cultures, but chose not to speak in English.

The event was attended by about 800 guests, including dozens of English-speaking Korean Americans. After Kim received a plaque from Los Angeles City Councilman Nate Holden, Kim's response in Korean was translated. But his 20-minute speech to the audience completely excluded English-speakers.

In other words, Kim extended courtesy to the American politician, but ignored all the other non-Korean speakers.

President Kim's actions brought to mind Korea's first President, Syngman Rhee, whose dictatorial regime was ousted by students in 1960. Rhee destroyed South Korea's chance to become a democratic nation because of his ego. He was shielded by yes men and did not practice the democracy he had learned during his decades of living in the United States.

Journalist K. Connie Kang observed in her book on modern Korea that Rhee's failure to establish democracy in Korea is largely attributable to his egotism and hypocrisy.

"It was his personal tragedy and a tragedy for Korea that this man, who was so proud of his American education, could not practice its values," she wrote. "His immense ego and double standard had so blinded him that he had no vision; he could not distinguish a short-term gain from a long-term victory for his country and his people. Rhee's flaw was to surround himself with sycophants because he could not stand those who disagreed with him. In so doing, he smothered any chance for democracy in Korea."

Thirty-eight years have passed since the students disgraced Rhee. But Kim, who purports to be a progressive reformer, is showing traits like Rhee's.

Kim is a brilliant man, a fighter and a practicing Christian. He has the potential to become a great leader not only in the Korean context but also in Asia. But unless Kim finds himself some strong, principled and capable advisors who are not afraid to speak their mind, Kim may suffer the same fate as Rhee. That would be a tragedy.