By Kim Hyo-jin
President Park Geun-hye backed the Constitutional Court's landmark decision to disband the Unified Progressive Party (UPP) in her New Year press conference Monday.
"I don't think pro-North Korea people can be acceptable," President Park said during the event at Cheong Wa Dae.
"My opinion (over the issue) remains unchanged," Park said.
The Constitutional Court ruled in favor of dissolving the minor opposition party on Dec. 19, concluding that the party aimed to overthrow the government. Then, Park's senior secretary for public affairs Yoon Doo-hyun said, "It was a historical decision that firmly secured the liberal democracy in the country."
"I understand that the decision was made, considering freedom of political activities can be allowed within the constitutional boundary," Park said.
Park stressed that even though progressives and conservatives need to work together harmoniously by recognizing each other and exchanging opinions, it should not exceed a level at which they harm the basic order of liberal democracy.
Park also said the National Security Law should be kept as a minimum protection of security under the confrontational state of relations between the two Koreas.
"You need the law, that protects the vulnerable part of a nation. Each nation has its own specific conditions," Park said. "As the constitutional judges considered the special circumstances we face, you may as well understand the Korean laws reflect the confrontational situation between two Koreas."
President Park Geun-hye backed the Constitutional Court's landmark decision to disband the Unified Progressive Party (UPP) in her New Year press conference Monday.
"I don't think pro-North Korea people can be acceptable," President Park said during the event at Cheong Wa Dae.
"My opinion (over the issue) remains unchanged," Park said.
The Constitutional Court ruled in favor of dissolving the minor opposition party on Dec. 19, concluding that the party aimed to overthrow the government. Then, Park's senior secretary for public affairs Yoon Doo-hyun said, "It was a historical decision that firmly secured the liberal democracy in the country."
"I understand that the decision was made, considering freedom of political activities can be allowed within the constitutional boundary," Park said.
Park stressed that even though progressives and conservatives need to work together harmoniously by recognizing each other and exchanging opinions, it should not exceed a level at which they harm the basic order of liberal democracy.
Park also said the National Security Law should be kept as a minimum protection of security under the confrontational state of relations between the two Koreas.
"You need the law, that protects the vulnerable part of a nation. Each nation has its own specific conditions," Park said. "As the constitutional judges considered the special circumstances we face, you may as well understand the Korean laws reflect the confrontational situation between two Koreas."
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