“Are You on North Korea’s Side?”

President Roh said on December 13, “Although the reality has changed a great deal, it will be impossible to overcome the conflict on ideology within South Korea if we do not have a common foundation to realize and adapt to the reality.”

President Roh attended the Advisory on the Democratic Peaceful Unification Conference Committee of the Steering Committee and the Standing Committee which was held at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul, and said, “If we closely look at the many conflicts within South Korea, most seem to consist of whether ‘if one is close to North Korea’ or ‘if one is on North Korea’s side?’” This comment seems is be based upon the recent fight between the government party and the opposition party over whether Uri Party assemblyman Lee Chul-woo had joined the Chosun Labor Party or not.

President Roh also said, “We can not reconcile it if one questions the elected president simply because he conducts a magnanimous policy towards North Korea.” and subtly aimed at the Grand National Party by saying, “I am ready to persuade any of the public a hundred if not a thousand times, but if an uneasy thing becomes a political tool, then it will be impossible to untie the knot. ”

Jung-Hun Kim jnghn@donga.com