Leftwing NGOs and opposition parties have finally come out against the third generation succession underway in North Korea, but their reactions still pale into insignificance when compared to other issues.
In the words of Democratic Party leader Park Ji Won, “North Korea has not completely entered the succession system, but is on the way to preparing it.”
Speaking on a Christian Broadcasting System radio show, Park gave his opinion of the succession, “The third generation succession is an incomprehensible and ridiculous thing for people like us who live in a democratic system, but this is the North Korean system.”
“I believe that Defense Commission Chairman Kim Jong Il is still healthy and in completely control of the people, military and Party,” Park added. “Therefore, we need to exchange and cooperate with Kim Jong Il, and after that we can find a way to solve the North Korean nuclear problem.”
He added, “As long as China acknowledges the Kim Jong Eun succession system, aids it economically and agrees with North Korea returning to the Six-Party Talks, the succession will be accomplished without any big difficulties.”
The Democratic Labor Party also responded weakly to recent moves in a press conference on the 29th, with a party spokesperson stating, “Although this is an unacceptable point according to our people’s standards, it is appropriate to consider it a matter North Korea will decide on, especially for inter-Korean relations.”
“I hope that this Party Delegates’ Conference will have a positive effect on peaceful reunification and relieving tension on the Korean Peninsula.”
Meanwhile, People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, one of the biggest NGOs in South Korea and one which states as its mission encouraging people to speak out against injustices, has remained completely silent, in stark contrast to its attitude to the Cheonan sinking investigation results, which resulted in a great many demonstrations against the government.
Regarding this attitude, Cho Jong Ik, Assistant General Secretary of the Network for North Korean Democracy and Human Rights (NKnet) was dismissive today, saying, “Just as China has congratulated North Korea on the Delegates’ Conference, South Korean pro-Kim Jong Il factions had better just come out as they are and offer words of blessing.”
