GNP shows mixed reaction to NK invitation

The opposition Grand National Party (GNP) is racking its brains over how to cope with the latest series of sensational news from Pyongyang following the first-ever inter-Korean summit talks in June. In particular, remarks made by North Korean National Defense Commission Chairman Kim Jong-Il during his luncheon meeting with South Korean media chiefs have alarmed the opposition party as it has maintained a critical view so far of the government`s North Korea policy. Some party members have expressed concerns about the possibility that the party might be placed on the defensive if the North Korean leader`s remarks on additional separated family reunions in September and October become a reality and North Korean events accordingly overshadow domestic political issues for a prolonged time.

A high-ranking party member, saying that all society should not be shaken by a single word from Kim Jong-Il, admitted that the ¡°current tearful situation¡± is somewhat confusing. If the trend continues, the opposition party could lose its voice even during the regular National Assembly session that opens next month, he said. The opposition party¡¯s agony has been deepened further as Chairman Kim Jong-Il was learned to have expressed his intention to invite party president Lee Hoi-Chang to visit the North. Party spokesman Kwon Chul-Hyeon quoted Lee as saying that ¡°it not appropriate for me to comment on this matter when there has been no official invitation from the North.``

A close aide to Lee said that it is difficult to determine the North¡¯s true intentions accurately. There is a danger that the party may be dragged unilaterally by the North if it blindly okays an official invitation, and if the party rejects it, it may be condemned as an anti-unification force, he said. ¡°All these things exacerbate our awkward situation.``

Another party official said that it could be problematic for Lee to attend the (North Korean) Workers` Party commemorative ceremony, but revealed that the party may positively consider Lee¡¯s trip to the North if it differed from President Kim Dae-Jung¡¯s and he was able to visit a farming village and meet farmers there. Depending on the form and content of Lee`s visit, the party may examine it positively, he explained.

Meanwhile, Lee met the South Korean visitors to the North Monday to give some words of encouragement, and he also came to the party headquarters in Yoido Tuesday to view the separated family reunions on TV. His demeanor was different from the one he exhibited during the inter-Korean summit, causing speculation that there may be some changes in the basic North Korea policy of Lee and the GNP.

In his commemorative address for the 55th National Liberation Day, Lee referred to South-North problems in a different tone, urging both the South and the North to make their utmost efforts to institutionalize the separated family reunions. He added, however, that the government must resolve the confusion in state affairs first. However, related party officials stressed that the party was approaching the family reunion issue from a different angle because it has different aspects than other inter-Korean problems. They said that the party still understands Chairman Kim Jong-Il`s gesture toward the South as a strategy, not as an indication of a fundamental change.