[Editorial] Time to Ease Internal Conflicts

The incident during the Daegu Summer Universidad, where North Korean reporters and some South Korean right-wing demonstrators clashed, clearly showed the actual difference between the two Koreas. In a nutshell, the incident was caused by different views, which the two sides have on the freedom of expression. It might be difficult for North Korean reporters who devote themselves to the North Korean regime and its leader to understand that South Korea is a democratic nation where people are free to express their displeasure in public with the government and other counties as well. At the same time, it is also too much for South Koreans to accommodate the North Korean reporters’ violent behavior to quell some South Korean right-wingers’ rally, freely expressing their opinions.

To prevent tensions caused by the incident from escalating, the first thing to do is to realize that there is a stark difference between the two Koreas that cannot be overcome by sporting events. Although we need to sincerely take care of the North Korean athletes and cheering squad, it is dangerous to mistakenly think that they are representing the North as a whole.

Cho Hae-nyung, chairman of the organizing committee of the games, offered an apology for and expressed regret over the incident promising to take measures to prevent similar incidents from recurring as an attempt to avoid further aggravation of the situation. It is fortunate for the North Korean delegation to withdraw its threat to pull out of the games. Considering the two sides made a concession from their previous tough stances on the incident, there seems to be no sign of the situation becoming further aggravated.

However, there is the one thing that the government should bear in mind. It should keep its balance. Although it was not desirable for the conservative demonstrators to stage a rally, irritating the North Korean delegation, it was also inappropriate for the Northern reporters to use violence against those South Koreans. The North Korean delegation should have followed an official procedure to demand an apology for the incident. It is difficult to say that the government dealt with the issue fairly because it urged conservative groups not to take irresponsible actions while turning a blind eye to the North’s excessive action.

The government should listen to the criticism that it is only concerned about placating North Korea while turning a deaf ear to rising public discontent. The government should give priority to measures that can address ever-rising conflicts among South Koreans. The incident in the Daegu Universidad was triggered by the president’s comments over the intrusion incident into a US firing range by a group of students. Easing conflicts among South Koreans is as important as hosting a successful sporting event.