Political parties divided over former president's remarks on N. Korea

SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's conservative and progressive political parties exchanged fire on Sunday over former President Kim Dae-jung's criticism of Seoul's present policy stance towards North Korea.

Kim orchestrated the historic June 2000 summit meeting with North Korean leader
Kim Jong-il, and claimed Thursday that the conservative Lee Myung-bak
administration is intentionally derailing inter-Korean relations.
The former chief executive, who is the architect of the country's Sunshine
Policy, won the Nobel Peace Prize for the meeting. He also pushed forward the
establishment of the Kaesong Industrial Complex and tours to Mount Geumgang, both
of which have facilitated economic cooperation and exchange across the
demilitarized zone (DMZ) that separates the two countries.
Kim argued this week that Lee's plan to provide full-fledged economic aid only if
the North first gives up its nuclear program is a repeat of the "failed policies"
of U.S. President George W. Bush.
He added that with the election of Barack Obama to the U.S. presidency, there is
a significant chance that Washington's relations with Pyongyang will improve,
effectively nullifying Seoul's current hardline stance.
In response to the comments, the government and conservative legislators
expressed regrets and stressed that such remarks were counter-productive to
South-North relations and inappropriate for a elder statesman.
Unification Minister Kim Ha-joong said Friday that the incumbent administration
has not engaged in any activity to hurt relations with the North, but has on the
contrary tried to engage in constructive dialogue.
The ruling Grand National Party (GNP) chimed in, saying that remaining silent on
North Korea's human rights violations and breaching of the nuclear
non-proliferation treaty had not been effective.
"Keeping silent and trying not to upset the North has done nothing to improve
inter-Korean relations," said GNP chairman Park Hee-tae.
The conservative Liberty Forward Party also attacked Kim and progressive
opposition parties.
"It is shocking that some people are unable to overcome anachronistic views about
the North," said a party spokesperson.
Liberal and progressive parties countered that it was the government and ruling
party that are failing to adjust to the changing times.
In a joint communique announced earlier in the day, the Democratic Party (DP),
the Democratic Labor Party and the Renewal Korea Party called on the government
to revamp its policy stance and abide by past agreements reached under the Kim
Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun administrations.
"Actions by the government and the GNP have seriously jeopardized South-North
relations and shaken the peace that was established in the past," said DP head
Chung Sye-kyun.
He added that it is the role of the opposition parties to prevent such
developments from taking place, hinting at a possible political alliance against
the government.
The opposition leader blasted the GNP for attacking former President Kim
Dae-jung, claiming that his critics had serious problems with the way they
perceived history.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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