Ex-Generals Slam Conservative Partys NK Engagement Policy

Park Seh-jik, chairman of
Korea Veterans’ Association

By Jung Sung-ki
Staff Reporter

A group of 11 former military and political leaders Monday called on the main opposition Grand National Party (GNP) to change or withdraw its policy on engagement with North Korea.

The group led by retired Maj. Gen. Park Seh-jik, chairman of the Korea Veterans' Association, visited the GNP headquarters in Seoul to protest the party's softened policy toward the Stalinist regime.

``The people will not support any political party hinged on a populist oriented North Korean policy similar to the sunshine policy (in the upcoming presidential election),'' Park said in a meeting with GNP Chairman Rep. Kang Jae-sup. ``The only way the GNP can win public support is by pursuing a constant North Korean policy.''

The group reiterated the dismantlement of North Korea's nuclear weapons program and improvement of human rights in the Stalinist state should precede any engagement measures.

They called for achieving inter-Korean reunification under a free democracy and market economy, not a federation on the Korean Peninsula demanded by progressive forces.

Kang defended his party's policy on the North, dubbed ``Vision for Peace on the Korean Peninsula.''

``The policy does not mean unconditional support for the North, if the regime test-launches missiles and runs nuclear programs,'' Kang said. ``But it means we would be flexible in humanitarian support for the poverty-stricken North as a measure to lure the regime to scrap its nuclear programs.''

The conservative GNP has faced a strong backlash from conservative groups over its new North Korean policy initiated by Rep. Chung Hyeong-keun, a former senior official of the nation's spy agency who is well known for his vocal criticism of North Korea.

The policy outlines various measures to engage the North through larger inter-Korean business projects.

The measures include free visits to the North by South Koreans and vice versa; the release of North Korean newspapers and broadcasts in the South; and the provision of rice aid to the impoverished North.

Members of the group also visited the headquarters of the pro-government Uri Party and the Centrist United Democratic Party to ask them to air their North Korea policies.

The group included Kim Sang-tae, chairman of the Korean Retired Generals and Admirals Association, and Chang Kyung-soon, former vice speaker of the National Assembly.

gallantjung@koreatimes.co.kr

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