Liberal, conservative parties poles apart over N. Korean leader's peace overture
By Choi Ha-young
Political parties showed mixed reactions Tuesday to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s abrupt peace overture in his New Year speech.
Kim said Monday he was willing to send a delegation to the PyeongChang Winter Olympics slated for next month, in line with President Moon Jae-in’s longtime determination to revitalize inter-Korean talks.
At the same time, however, the young leader stuck to his nuclear ambitions, calling for “the deployment of mass-produced nuclear bombs and ballistic missiles.” Kim also renewed his threat against the United States saying that he has a “nuclear button on his desk.”
The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) welcomed Kim’s offer. “This was Pyongyang’s response to President Moon’s continued efforts for a peaceful sports event,” DPK floor leader Woo Won-shik said in a party meeting.
“The successful organization of the event can encourage the two Koreas to seek a peaceful resolution on the peninsula,” he added. The minor liberal People’s Party shared the dovish view, but added that the North should abandon its nuclear weapons. “The party hopes the North’s participation in the Winter Games will be a turning point in creating a reconciliatory mood,” party spokeswoman Lee Haeng-ja said.
Along with the message, the People’s Party urged Pyongyang to stop its attempt to split Washington and Seoul. “There’s no peace with acknowledging nuclear weapons. International society should not halt sanctions.”
The largest opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP), however, bashed the ruling camp’s stance. “The government is being swayed by the North’s strategy,” LKP Chairman Hong Joon-pyo said.
“Kim is apparently eyeing internal conflict within Seoul, as well as friction between the U.S. and South Korea.”
The minor conservative Bareun Party also criticized Cheong Wa Dae’s “naive” understanding of the security situation.
“While Kim mentioned the word nuclear 22 times, Moon was silent on the problem in his New Year’s speech,” party chief Yoo Seong-min said Tuesday.
“Kim’s conciliatory gesture obviously aims at toning down the intensity of the sanctions against Pyongyang and gaining time for the North to master its nuclear and missile capacity,” Yoo noted.
“To get rid of Korea’s nuclear bombs, South Korea should mobilize all measures including a naval blockade and an oil embargo.”
The stark contradiction between the People’s Party and the Bareun Party is noticeable, considering the two are moving toward a merger by next month.
The leaderships of the two parties are spurring the drive under the pretext of enhancing their presence in the upcoming regional elections, but some opponents in the People’s Party are against the move, citing their incompatible identities.