On December 19th, 2014, the constitutional
court’s decision to dissolve the Unified Progressive Party (UPP) created an
opportunity for South Korea to be born again. With only one out of nine judges
voting against dissolution, the result is really no different from a unanimous
ruling. Even judges considered moderate or progressive ruled that the purpose
and activities of the UPP severely violated the “basic democratic order”. Under
a chaotic situation, where pro-north attempts to shake the foundation of free
democracy grow worse day by day, this ruling may be the ruling to revive free
democracy.
Yet, despite this ruling, the UPP and
“Pro-North” host powers are denying the court’s decisions and displaying the
most of anti-democratic behaviors, shaking the foundations of
constitutionalism. The propaganda of South Korea does not look very bright,
with even media stations supportive of the progressive left spreading a
bivalent logic that makes it seem as if the right-left opposition in the court
ruling was each at 50%. It would be customary for any party or politician with
basic common sense to humbly accept this ruling while criticizing specific
sources of complaint, but instead, the UPP and “pro-north” groups displayed a
most self-righteous and anti-democratic attitude by unconditionally denying the
court’s ruling.
After receiving the dissolution ruling from
the court, UPP Representative Lee Jung Hee stated, “Democracy has collapsed
completely. No administration can stop progressive politics and no one will
give up on progressive politics.” National Assembly representative Oh Byung
Yoon also stated that “if the court dissolves the UPP, it can be made again.”
This is an attitude that ridicules and attacks democracy and constitutionalism.
Looking at all sides of the New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD), the
pro-North host power that made the UPP possible, they have firmly maintained
objection to the dissolution of the party, and one cannot help but to pale with
surprise at their lack of self-reflection and unabashed critical response to
the recent ruling. Even though evidence of the UPP’s pro-North support was
exposed to the entire world, NPAD Chair of the Emergency Planning Committee
Moon Hee Sang and Moon Jae In, previous member of the Emergency Planning
Committee, have led arguments opposing the dissolution of the UPP. In regard to
matters on the constitutional court’s dissolution of the UPP, Emergency
Planning Committee Chair Moon Hee Sang stated that “the decision to dissolve a
party is unprecedented in a developed democratic nation”, expressing a
mugwumpish opposing opinion that is ignorant of the dissolution of the
anti-constitutional party in Germany.
Furthermore, he stated that “the promise
of the Blue House and government to unite the nation is buried in camp logic,
making out all opposing and critical people or groups as enemies”, taking issue
instead with the current administration that made the claim for the dissolution
of the party to the constitutional court. Congressman Moon criticized the
court’s decision on Twitter, writing, “Not only has the UPP disappeared with
the court ruling, democracy itself has also been wounded.” NPAD representative
Park Soo Hyun also commented, saying, “I am severely concerned that with the
court’s ruling, we have lost a foundation of democracy, the freedom of
parties.” It is worrisome to think about how they would lead South Korea if
they were to become the ruling party.
The pro-North attitudes of Congressman Park
Ji Won, a prominent figure in the NPAD, show high spirits. Congressman
Park had made statements supporting the North Korean system, such as “when
North Korea falls, South Korea will too,” and, “Kim Jong Eun as successor is
common sense in North Korea.” Immediately after the Jang Sung Taek purge last
year, he made a comment advocating the third generation hereditary succession
of North Korea, saying, “It is good to strengthen the Kim Jong Eun system.”
Congressman Park confirmed his pro-North inclinations to Kim Mu Sung, at the
time the National Party Hannara party representative (currently Saenuri party
representative), who was advocating for the passing of a bill related to the
North Korean Human Rights Law, saying, “You can call me pro-North, you can call
me a commie.” Congressman Park even visited North Korea to deliver flowers at
the third anniversary of the death of Kim Jong Il, the man who took so many
South Korean lives with the KAL carrier incident and the bombing of Aung San.
South Korea’s National Security Law has become a law that would make no
difference if it did not exist and there is a sense that the freedoms of this
country have become too loose.
By handing thirteen seats to the UPP in the
last elections through solidarity with the opposition parties, the NPAD played
the role of “host of pro-North forces.” On the other hand, in the past 2012
elections, the NPAD attempted to use solidarity to increase their approval
ratings, but instead their approval ratings dropped and they lost a number of
seats, resulting in a political loss. The NPAD must know that their pro-North
attitudes are no longer connecting with the people. Solidarity with pro-North
parties in order to gain mere votes no longer connects with the public.
There are still around thirty
UPP-affiliated local congressmen left, and unlike UPP congressmen, they will
continue in their positions as independents. There is a high possibility that
UPP forces will disguise their name and doctrine once more and create a new
party. The three congressmen of local constituencies that lost their positions
can also receive nominations from other parties or run as independents in next
year’s April by-elections. Like weeds, the UPP and pro-North supporting forces
will continue to exist throughout the land. However, the wise will ultimately
never forgive their thoughtless words, actions, and rampancy.
*The views expressed in Guest Columns do not necessarily reflect those of Daily NK.
