코리아타임즈 National Unity at Stake

[아톰]

National Unity at Stake        Conflict Over Security Law Should Be Immediately Stopped

National unity is being rapidly disrupted because of the mounting confrontation between conservatives and progressives over the anti-communist law that has been in force since the foundation of the republic in 1948. The dismal situation is making the desperately hoped-for recovery of the extended stagnant economy further doubtful. Over 100,000 people who oppose the repeal of the national security law staged a rally on the plaza in front of the Seoul City Hall deep into the night on Monday, interrupting traffic in the center of the metropolitan city. It is not hard to imagine that pro and con demonstrations will follow one after another, plunging the nation into a crucible of disorder. Now is the time to put an end to the conflict over the security law before the national division deepens to an extent that it won’t be healed. Most of all, the government and the ruling Uri Party ought to drop the joint move to abrogate the controversial law during the current regular session of the National Assembly which will last until the middle of December. But President Roh Moo-hyun has the key as he fuelled the confrontation with his support of repealing the security law, overriding the rulings of the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court for its preservation on the grounds that threats from North Korea still exist. Unless President changes his mind, it will be impossible for the government and the ruling party to drop their move to kill the security law. Even though it is hard for Roh to retract his support, there is no other way to terminate the ever-growing conflict over the issue. On the other hand, it is not right to push ahead with scrapping the security law, which is opposed by a resounding majority of the people. As demanded by opponents, whether to abolish the anti-communist law or not ought to be decided by the people in light of its importance. In this regard, it is desirable for President Roh to withdraw his support for abolishing the security law which was used by authoritarian governments in the past to crack down on dissidents, student activists and unionists defying their power. Without stopping the confrontation over the security law, there is no way to remedy the disrupted national unity and turn around the years-long stagnant economy. The present regular session of the Assembly should be constructive for the development of the nation. In particular, the Uri Party and the main opposition Grand National Party should stop wrangling over partisan interests and combine efforts to help the economy recover from its prolonged stagnation as quickly as possible.