ED Red-baiting tactics

Conservative opposition hit for disparaging summit

It is opposition parties' responsibility to check the government and the ruling party. This is a basic element buttressing democratic checks and balances. As part of the legislative, opposition lawmakers are required to fulfill their mandate to oversee the executive branch by reflecting diverse opinions from all walks of life.

However, the main conservative opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) is inviting criticism for neglecting its duty and ignoring the people's voices. Its chairman, Hong Joon-pyo, has caused a public backlash over his hard-line stance on the April 27 inter-Korean summit.

Hong has vowed not to accept the outcome of the landmark summit between President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

To the disappointment of the public, he described the summit as a disguised peace show. He called the Panmunjeom Declaration a “hidden agreement” between Kim and those sympathizing with the North's Juche (self-reliance) ideology.

Hong, who lost to Moon in the May 2017 presidential election, also referred to members of a minor progressive party as “pinkos.” This expression immediately infuriated his liberal foes. The sharp-tongued LKP leader should realize he has gone too far in denigrating the summit and bashing liberals.

It would be nonsense if Hong believed his opposition to inter-Korean detente would help rally conservatives behind his party before the June 13 local elections. Hong, a stalwart right-wing politician, has only proven to be a maverick who does not care what the public thinks.

According to a Gallup Korea poll last week, 88 percent of South Koreans support the summit declaration. President Moon's approval rating jumped to 83 percent from 73 percent a week before.

Hong should stop engaging in outdated red-baiting tactics. Even some of his party members have called for his resignation, fearing his leadership might deal a blow to the party in the elections. Many potential candidates shun the presence of Hong on their campaign trails.

He had better accept such a call to save the tattered conservative party.