By Kang Hyun-kyung
Kwon Eun-young, a graduate school student at Seoul National University, recently had a heated debate with her student colleagues about whether lawmakers allegedly displaying sympathy toward an enemy state should be allowed to keep their job.
Some of Kwon’s friends argued South Korea appears to be “too democratic” as those who support or endorse the repressive North Korean regime were elected lawmakers and as a result have access to classified information, she said.
“One of my colleagues, who is very conservative, said North Korea is an enemy and therefore if there is anyone who denies this, there is no question that his or her view needs to be ignored,” Kwon said. “Simply put, my friend made the point that pro-North Korea politicians are exploiting free democracy and therefore whatever argument they make, their points are meaningless.”
North Korea sympathizers have generated a democracy debate on campus, according to the graduate school student.
The 28-year-old said many friends, including her, share the idea that the “red scare” allegations and ensuing counter attack has gripped the political arena mainly because of the campaign season. The nation will go to the polls in December to elect a new president.
“Few of us believe the North Korea factor would heavily affect voters’ decision on who’s going to be our next president. Young voters are sick and tired of such campaign politics,” Kwon said.
Yim Mee-seon, a stay-at-home mom of three, said she believes alleged pro-North Korea legislators are abusing democracy.
“I think they need to come out of the closet regarding their political ideology. This is a crucial issue because they are serving as lawmakers who are in a position to make key decisions affecting the lives of the general public,” the 44-year-old said. “I am concerned about the negative fallout for our teenage children as they could be misled on the communist ideology because of the politicians. I think lawmakers are exploiting free democracy here.”
Some members of the minor Unified Progressive Party (UPP), including Rep. Lee Seok-ki, are described as North Korea sympathizers.
In an interview earlier, Kim Moon-soo, governor of Gyeonggi Province, claimed that some of the UPP members are affiliated with North Korea’s Communist Party.
The progressive party has not released any statements or official responses to the North Korean regime’s abuses of human rights, such as torture and harsh treatment of refugees who are sent back to their homeland. Those familiar with the UPP said the term North Korea is considered taboo there and UPP members are extremely nervous about any issues related to the communist state.
The red scare shows signs of intensifying as the new leader of the main opposition Democratic United Party (DUP) has vowed to tackle “allegations” that some new National Assemblymen are North Korea sympathizers.
In an acceptance speech as new DUP leader Saturday, Rep. Lee Hae-chan, a key aide of the late former President Roh Moo-hyun, said he would use all his political capital to counter what he called the right-wing conspiracy.
The Saenuri Party has demanded Lee make his position clear on North Korean sympathizers and the North Korean human rights bill pushed by the ruling party.
Despite popular debate in the political arena, citizens have reacted calmly to the controversy which has dominated media coverage for several months from the pre-April 11 parliamentary election season.
“It is true that I have a negative impression of the North Korean sympathizers. But I understand that the red scare has drawn media attention in the middle of a power struggle between the ruling and opposition parties ahead of the presidential election,” said freelance translator Lee Dong-hee.