ROK and Inter-Korean relations September 2004

ROK and Inter-Korean relations

September 2004

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Export cases to prompt new controls
The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy said yesterday it has discovered several cases in which sensitive dual-use goods slipped through export controls and reached North Korea and Libya. Officials said steps are being taken to improve the approval process. The ministry said four cases of unauthorized exports of "strategic" materials that can be used for weapons in addition to industrial uses have occurred in recent years. Among them was 107 tons of sodium cyanide, which eventually reached North Korea by way of China. The chemical has been under the multilateral export controls because it can be used to manufacture tabun, a deadly nerve agent. The substance is also used to produce insecticides and in metal- working industries.[Sanctions]
Prostitutes hit back with street protest
Prostitutes and brothel owners have taken to the streets to protest the government's new efforts to curb the sex trade with new laws, which took effect Thursday. About 300 demonstrators from Seoul's red-light districts staged a surprise rally Thursday night at Hawolgok-dong, an area known for offering illicit sex. During the protest, which lasted an hour and half, the protesters demanded that the government suspend its campaign against prostitution because it was threatening the livelihood of many people. Under the new laws, those who engage a prostitute now face jail time of up to a year and fines of up to 3 million won ($2,631). 2004.09.24 [Human rights]
3 Parties to Scrap Security Law
Opposition Party Tries to Block Passage By Ryu Jin Staff Reporter The ruling Uri Party and two minor oppositions, the Democratic Labor Party (DLP) and the Millennium Democratic Party (MDP), agreed Thursday to jointly submit a bill to abolish the National Security Law, the half-century-old anticommunist apparatus of the capitalist South Korea. The three parties also agreed in principle to cooperate with each other to realize another legislation aimed at clearing up the country's modern history related to pro-Japanese collaborators during the 1910-45 colonial rule, officials said.
Planned Distribution of U.S.-Made Anti-DPRK Computer Games under Fire
Pyongyang, September 23 (KCNA) -- The south Korean company of computer games "Wizard Soft" is going to introduce anti-north computer games such as "Ghost Recon 2" and "Splinter Shell 3" from the U.S. company of computer games "UB Soft." Rodong Sinmun Thursday in a signed commentary brands this as a hostile provocation against the north. It says: The "Ghost Recon 2" and "Splinter Shell 3" are based on the absurd assumption that the U.S. strikes nuclear facilities in the DPRK and dispatches special units to perpetuate terrorism in anticipation of the contingency on the Korean peninsula.
The retaking of Seoul
A South Korean honor guard marching ceremony yesterday to mark the battle in which UN forces, led by the United States, wrested Seoul from North Korea during the Korean War. The capital was stormed by North Korean troops a few days after North Korea invaded on June 25, 1950. The retaking of Seoul occurred on Sept. 28, 1950, but the military commemorated the date earlier because Chuseok, or Korea's thanksgiving holiday, falls on Sept. 28 this year. By Kang Jung-hyun 2004.09.23 [Role of SK military]
NK's Chemical Imports Raise Alarm
By Seo Jee-yeon Staff Reporter The government has increased monitoring to prevent raw materials and components for weapons from flowing into North Korea. The measures have been taken as part of South Korean exports of sodium cyanide, a toxic chemical used to make a chemical weapon like sarine nerve gas, to China were reshipped to North Korea last year. An official from the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy (MOCIE) confirmed Friday that a local company exported a total of 107 tons of sodium cyanide to a Chinese company in Dandong between June and September in 2003 without the government's permission. The Chinese company then shipped those toxic chemicals to North Korea. MOCIE official Seo Young-joo said the government uncovered the fact last September and took the local trading company, which violated the nation's trade law, to court in October. The head of the company was sentenced to one and a half years in prison and a two-year probation. Under the current trade law, sodium cyanide exports are categorized as strategic material and require permission before being imported and exported in compliance with International Multilateral Export Control.
Meanwhile, according to the ministry, Korea exported a total of 146,046 tons of sodium cyanide to 10 countries, including China Thailand, Russia and Indonesia, up until August of this year since 2002. In that period, exports to China were the highest, reaching 42,399 tons. [Sanctions]
More desire to see unification
A new national survey of South Koreans indicates attitudes toward North Korea are shifting with greater numbers wanting to see the country unified. Sixty-five percent of those interviewed in the poll by JoongAng Ilbo researchers said that unification of the peninsula is desirable, compared with 59 percent last year. [SK attitude NK]
Actress Helps Grandfather's Brethren in North Korea
By Park Song-wu Staff Reporter Even though her grandfather was not able to visit his hometown in North Korea, young actress Moon Geun-young could help warm her grandfather's Northern brethren by delivering tons of briquettes, a must for the North to endure the harsh cold weather. Moon, who visited the North on Monday to donate 50,000 blocks of compressed charcoal, is a granddaughter of a North Korean who served a long prison term in South Korea due to his refusal to renounce communism. A six-member delegation, including the 17-year- old star, crossed the demilitarized zone through Kangwon Province to present the truck-loads of briquettes and 200 stoves as part of a humanitarian campaign organized by an Internet portal service Empas. [human rights]
Overview of Intra-Korean Exchanges & Cooperation for July 2004
Overview of Intra-Korean Exchanges & Cooperation for June 2004
Top court says security law is still necessary
Amid heated public debate over efforts to abolish the National Security Law, the Constitutional Court ruled yesterday that a controversial portion of the law should be retained, citing Korea's security situation as the justification for its continued existence. The court's nine-judge panel agreed unanimously that Article 7 of the anti-communist law is constitutional. An individual had filed a constitutional petition against Clauses 1 and 5 of Article 7, that allow punishment for those who praise or encourage the activities of anti-state organizations, and for those who produce or acquire anti-state materials. The petitioner had said the clauses infringed upon fundamental human rights
Activist says North seized defector on honeymoon
A North Korean defector on her honeymoon in China has been kidnapped and returned to her former homeland, a human rights activist group in Seoul has claimed. South Korea's Foreign Ministry said yesterday it has asked Chinese authorities to investigate the report. Jin Myong-suk, 24-year-old woman, whose last name is Jin, and her husband were attacked on Aug. 8 near China's border with North Korea by a group of men speaking Northern dialects, said Doh Hee-yoon, secretary-general of the civic group, Coalition for Human Rights of Abductees and North Korean Refugees.
Premier Plays Down Summit Story
By Yoon Won-sup Staff Reporter South Korea will seek another inter-Korean summit if such an event would help in finding a breakthrough in the crisis involving North Korea's nuclear weapons program, Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan said in a recent interview with a Japanese newspaper. ``I think it is important to find a peaceful resolution to Pyongyang's nuclear issue,'' Lee told Nihon Keizai Shimbun. ``If another Inter- Korean summit is held, it should serve as a step toward resolving the North's nuclear problem.'' The premier, who accompanied former President Kim Dae-jung to the first-ever summit in Pyongyang in June 2000, also expressed expectations for a second inter-Korean summit. ``I will work for President Roh Moo-hyun in order to help improve relations with Pyongyang through a summit.'' However, Lee avoided specifying when a summit would be held.
Ruling Camp Focuses on Reconciliation
By Yoo Dong-ho Staff Reporter With the National Assembly largely swayed by progressive figures for the first time in history, the liberal Uri Party has been focusing on clearing the dark legacy of the nation's modern history. Amid the intensifying war over the past pro- Japanese activities and irregularities allegedly committed by past dictatorial governments, ruling and opposition parties are seriously eroding national unity and risking a further plunge in the sagging economy. The controversy picked up further steam when President Roh Moo-hyun said his government would shed light on leftist freedom fighters whose activities have been undisclosed due to the intense ideological confrontation with the communist government in the past decades.
Anti-Spy Agency to Reinvestigate Suspicious Cases
By Park Song-wu Staff Reporter The country's anti-spy agency is ready to reinvestigate 13 suspicious incidents that were allegedly covered up by past authoritarian governments, including the 1987 bombing of a passenger plane, sources in the parliament's Intelligence Committee said Thursday. National Intelligence Service (NIS) officials outlined a plan to begin the fact-finding project during an Intelligence Committee meeting at the National Assembly. [Terrorism]
Seoul High Court Decision against Pro- reunification Figure under Fire
Pyongyang, September 19 (KCNA) -- The Seoul High Court reportedly held a trial on an appeal on Sept. 15 at which it sentenced Min Kyong U, secretary general of the Reunification Solidarity, to three years and 6 months in jail and three years of suspension of qualification. That day the justice team made such decision, charging that the north remains an entity threatening the order of liberal democracy and the defendant deliberately violated and did harm to the legal order.
Amnesty International Urges Abolition of SL
Pyongyang, September 18 (KCNA) -- The Amnesty International reportedly called a press conference in Seoul on Sept. 15 demanding the abolition of the "Security Law" (SL). Professor Jo Hyo Je of the South Korean Branch of the Amnesty International in a speech at the conference expressed hope that the argument about the repeal of the SL would lead to its abrogation and mark an occasion in ensuring democracy and the freedom of expression in the south Korean society.
Young Couples Fill Emigration Fair
Competitive Children Education and Unstable Job Market Drive Couples to Find New Life in Overseas Countries By Kim Rahn Staff Reporter An increasing number of young South Korean couples are seeking a new life in a foreign country due mainly to the stiff competition for higher education and unstable job market here.
With some 100 exhibitors of emigration agencies, law firms, embassies, and overseas education centers from 10 countries such as the U.S., Canada, New Zealand and Australia, the Korea Emigration Fair 2004/Fall drew some 20,000 visitors during the two days.
``Education for my children is the biggest reason in deciding on emigration,'' said Son, a 40-year-old businessman. ``It is too expensive to raise and educate them in Seoul, but I can't move to the outskirts either for fear that they may not enter good colleges with the lower quality schooling there,'' he said. Characteristically, with young parents dreaming of a better education for their children these days means the emigration of the whole family, not just the children being sent to study abroad alone.
Unification activist's conviction upheld
In another instance of judicial support for the National Security Law, the Seoul High Court upheld yesterday a lower court conviction of a senior civic group member over his support for Korean unification. The court sentenced Min Gyeong-woo, 38, to three and a half years in prison. The lower court has passed a four year term. Mr. Min is an executive member of the Pan-Korean Alliance for Reunification's South Korean headquarters. The group was established in 1990 to promote Korean unification and includes North Korean citizens and Koreans overseas. The South's Hanchongryun, a nationwide student association designated as an anti-state organization, is a member of the alliance. Mr. Min was convicted for notifying the alliance's Northern headquarters about the activities of the student movements of South Korea. That falls under espionage statutes in the security law. He was also convicted for praising the North Korean political system and possessing anti- state materials, meaning books and documents supporting North Korea. "North Korea is still an anti-state organization," the Seoul High Court said. "It is true that reconciliation is taking place in the Korean Peninsula. But North Korea still threatens the liberal democratic order of South Korea." In particular, the court said Mr. Min's crime was sufficient to be found guilty under other laws. "Most of the acts of the defendant can be punished by the criminal code or proposed alternative laws that may replace the security law." [Human rights]
South Korea slates major troop reduction
South Korea is planning to cut its number of active-duty troops by 40,000 to 50,000 by 2007, Defense Minister Yoon Kwang-ung said yesterday. South Korea has about 695,000 soldiers and has not reduced its troop strength since the 1980s. "Increasing or reducing the number of troops must be decided based on a careful assessment of the two Koreas' military postures," Mr. Yoon told the National Assembly's budget committee. "We are preparing a plan to cut troops by restructuring units while keeping the combat strength." Mr. Yoon said 10,000 will be reduced this year, and another 10,000 are scheduled to be cut next year. Senior military officials said that the military plans to cut 6,000 soldiers from the Army and 2,000 men each from the Navy and the Air Force.
International Rights Activists Urge Repeal of Security Law
By Chung Ah-young Staff Reporter Representatives of international human rights groups have called for the scrapping of the National Security Law during a session of a forum in Seoul.
North-South Joint Photo Exhibition Held
Mt. Kumgang resort, September 11 (KCNA) -- A north-south joint photo exhibition hailing the registration of Koguryo relics as the world's cultural heritage took place at Mt. Kumgang resort Saturday. On display there were 70 photos showing mural paintings of 15 tombs dating back to the period of Koguryo out of those registered as the world's cultural heritage in July.
Korea Makes Little Progress in Human Rights, Group Says
By Chung Ah-young Staff Reporter The Korea National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) still faces systemic problems that have been present from its inception to the present day, according to a report released Monday by the India-based Asia Pacific Human Rights Network (APHRN).
Seoul to Extend Training for NK Defectors
SEOUL (Yonhap) - South Korea plans to extend the basic education period for North Korean defectors to help them better adapt to a new life in the capitalist South, officials said Monday. The plan calls for increasing training for the defectors to three months from the current two months in a resettlement center, called Hanawon, beginning next month, they said. [Refugee reception]
Abortive Event of 59th Anniversary of Country's Liberation
Organizations of North, South and Overseas Koreans Denounce S. Korean Authorities August 15 this year was the 59th anniversary of the liberation of Korea. At first, the August 15 joint reunification event of the nation was scheduled between Koreans of the North, the South and overseas at Pyongyang. However, the planned event proved abortive. Various organizations of North and South Korea and overseas issued statements to denounce the South Korean authorities.
Grand National Writers Meeting Failed To Be Held
KWU Denounces S. Korean Government The plan for a Grand National Writers Meeting for the implementation of the June 15 joint declaration, which was scheduled to be held in Pyongyang and at a Mt. Paektu resort on August 24, failed.
Spy boss offers hints of history inquiries
With the governing Uri Party and the administration planning a bill to investigate incidents during the country's authoritarian era, the head of the National Intelligence Service gave a glimpse of the probe's targets. In a closed committee meeting of the National Assembly Monday, Uri Party lawmakers invited Ko Young-koo, the head of the spy agency, to suggest what past incidents he is considering investigating. According to a Uri lawmaker who attended the meeting, Mr. Ko told the lawmakers the agency believes it is necessary to investigate incidents that took place under the military regimes of Park Chung Hee and Chun Doo Hwan in which the agency itself was involved. The lawmaker quoted Mr. Ko as saying that the agency would likely investigate such major cases as the 1974 kidnapping of Kim Dae-jung, the 1979 disappearance of Kim Hyeong-wook, and the 1986 Geumgang dam case.
Praise of North Korea floods Internet
A rapidly rising tide of Internet postings that praise North Korea has drawn the attention of South Korean police who warned yesterday that they are investigating possible violations of the country's anti-communist National Security Law. About 50 postings lauding North Korea showed up between Sept. 1 to 9 on Internet sites commonly used by South Koreans. That number tops 40 similar messages, which were posted on the Internet bulletin boards during the past three months, the police said. The announcement came only a day after a briefing from the country's chief of police to the National Assembly about pro-North Korean Internet sites. Commissioner General Choi Key- moon told legislators Wednesday that 43 pro- North Korean Internet sites were operating in August. All the sites are managed from overseas servers, and 10 of them are directly under the control of North Korea, Mr. Choi said. In South Korea, posting a message praising North Korea may contravene the National Security Act. "We will ask the Information and Communication Ministry to block illegal postings and messages glorifying [the late North Korean leader] Kim Il Sung," said Han Jin-hee, spokesman of the National Police Agency. "By tracking down the Internet addresses, we will attempt to punish the people who posted the messages." He said despite the overseas postings, the security law can be applied if the case falls into South Korea's legal jurisdiction. The police said they will attempt to control the spread of pro-North Korean statements. On a bulletin board on the Internet site of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions a summary of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il's strategy for unifying the Koreas has been posted since Monday. The statement demands the South's National Security Law be abolished and says the North must unify the two Koreas. Some postings on the Internet sites of activist groups such as the National Alliance for Democracy and Reunification of Korea also claimed that the Korean War was triggered by South Korea and the United States' joint attack on the North. by Lee Soo-ki, Ser Myo-ja [Human rights]
Conservative elders call for policy changes
About 350 of South Korea's most prominent former politicians, academics and religious leaders gathered yesterday in central Seoul to denounce the Roh Moo-hyun administration for driving the country, in their words, into the hands of "pro- North Korean, leftist and anti-American" forces. In a special declaration dubbed "To uphold freedom and democracy," they demanded that the administration stop its unilateral push to relocate to a new capital, halt efforts to abolish the National Security Law and end efforts to pursue a government inquiry of the nation's history.
Foreign Democracy Fighters to Pay Tribute to Koreans
By Kim Rahn Staff Reporter
Foreign activists who fought for democracy in South Korea in the 1960s-80s will visit the country at the invitation of the Korea Democracy Foundation next month. The foundation said Wednesday 19 foreign democracy fighters will come to Korea Oct. 12-16 to join discussions on democracy and pay tribute to those Koreans who died during the democracy movements. ``We have invited those who helped Korea become a democratic country in 1960s to 1980s to acknowledge their contribution and show to them the nation's improved democracy as well as hear about their current activities,'' Eun Youngjun, director of the foundation told The Korea Times. It is the third time the foundation has invited democracy contributors. Korean-German sociology professor Song Du-yul, who had been invited last year, was indicted on charges of violating the National Security Law after ending 38 years of exile. He returned to Germany after being released from a jail in July. [Human rights]
Law or no, North is praised
Three documents posted by an unidentified user of a Web bulletin board run by Minjung Solidarity, a coalition of labor and civic groups, were lavish in their praise of North Korea's founder, Kim Il Sung. Entitled "The Legend of Kim Il Sung," the documents describe the alleged exploits of Mr. Kim in fighting Japan during Korea's colonial period. They describe in even more glowing terms the wonders of his family and the achievements of his son Kim Jong-il, the North's current leader. Police yesterday were trying to determine who posted the documents and why. Such public propaganda violates Korea's National Security Law, although the law's status is shaky. The documents cite the "Future Thoughts" publishing company in South Korea as the distributor, but police said there is no such company here. "Anyone can visit the boards of our Web site," an official at Minjung Solidarity said yesterday. "We are discussing now how to deal with such things." The left-wing umbrella group includes the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions; the Democratic Labor Party; Hanchongryun, a nationwide student association and a migrant workers' association. [human rights]
Uri Presents Revised Bill for Addressing Past
By Yoo Dong-ho Staff Reporter Stepping up efforts to clear the dark legacy of the nation's modern history, the governing Uri Party formally put forth a revised bill Wednesday at the National Assembly. Amid continuing partisan wrangling over what issues should come under scrutiny, the liberal ruling camp is mulling over broadening the scope of what it claims a ``soul-searching study,'' which has been long on rhetoric and short on results. In a significant shift from the legislation that was approved last March, the new bill is set to expand the definition of pro-Japanese sympathizers during the 1910-45 colonial rule, prompting a backlash from the opposition Grand National Party (GNP). Another source of dispute between the Uri Party and the conservative GNP is whether to delve into subversive activities against the nation or pro-communist North Korea activities, as proposed by the GNP
Human Rights Meeting to Be Held in Seoul
By Na Jeong-ju Staff Reporter Some 180 leaders of national and international human rights institutions and activists will gather at Lotte Hotel in central Seoul on Sept. 14-17 for the 7th International Conference of National Human Rights Institutions. Sponsored by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institution, the event will discuss strategies and challenges to uphold human rights during conflicts and while countering terrorism.
Number of NK Defectors in South Exceeds 5,000
By Seo Dong-shin Staff Reporter
The total number of North Korean defectors who entered and settled in the South since the division of the nation reached 5,546 by August this year, according to a report released by the parliamentary Unification, Foreign Affairs and Trade Committee Monday. The report based on the data from the Unification Ministry showed that the number of defectors entering the South has continued to increase in recent years. Until 1989, there were only 607 North Koreans who defected to the South, but the number began to sharply increase since then, recording 148 in 1999, 583 in 2001, 1,139 in 2002, and 1,281 in 2003. This year, the number has already reached 1,399 by August, including 460 in mass defection in July. Among 4,147 who managed to arrive here by the end of last year, men took up 54 percent (2,377) and women 46 percent (2,033). Women defectors outnumbered men by 111 in the year of 2002 and 345 in 2003. By region, defectors from Hamkyung Provinces, which border China and Russia, accounted for absolute majority, with 71.9 percent (921) from North Hamkyung Province and 11.7 percent (150) from South Hamkyung Province. Those from Pyungan Province took up 6.3 percent (81), and 0.9 percent (11) were born after defection. By age, 61.8 percent were of the younger generation, with 34.9 percent (447) in their 30s and 26.9 percent (345) in their 20s. Those under 20 followed with 16. 2 percent (207), those in their 40s accounted for 12.5 percent (160) and those in their 50s 9.5 percent (122). A total budget of some 76 billion won ($65 million) was spent on supporting the North Korean defectors, of which some 41 billion won ($35.6 million) was spent to help them settle in the South while 870 million ($ 755,000) won was spent for their job training.
Seoul Pushes to Scrap Security Law
By Park Song-wu Staff Reporter Unification Minister Chung Dong-young said Monday that the government's official stance on the country's anti-communist law is to scrap it, as clarified by President Roh Moo-hyun during a television interview a day earlier. Chung, however, triggered another political debate by maintaining ambiguity over whether the government's attempt to abolish the National Security Law is related to the North's hope to link the resumption of the inter-Korean talks to the annulment of the law.
Husband, spy chief at odds over kidnap
An angry dispute broke out yesterday between South Korea's intelligence officials and the husband of a North Korean defector whose relatives claim was kidnapped and taken back to the communist country. South Korea's National Intelligence Service reported that it believes that Jin Gyeong-suk, a 24-year-old North Korean defector, was abducted by North Korean agents near the Chinese border earlier this month. The report was made Tuesday by Ko Young-koo, head of the spy agency, to the National Assembly. Mr. Ko said Ms. Jin and her husband were in China to film opium farming in the North and intended to sell the footage to Japanese media. He said the information was based on the testimony of the husband. The couple, both North Koreans who escaped their homeland and arrived in the South in 2002, went to China in July and handed over a camcorder to a North Korean broker, Mr. Ko said. The couple reportedly went back to the North Korea-China border along the Tumen River on Aug. 8 to retrieve the camera, but Ms. Jin was seized. Seoul is consulting with officials in Beijing to learn more about the incident, Mr. Ko told lawmakers. After lawmakers made the spy agency's briefing public, the husband, Mun Joung-hun, 26, angrily refuted the government's version. Mr. Mun had managed to escape the kidnappers' attempt and held a news conference in late August to make an international appeal for help to get his wife back. "Instead of making efforts to save my wife, the South Korean government is making a claim that she was involved in spying activity, which now threatens her with death," Mr. Mun said yesterday. Mr. Mun said in a phone interview that he had never told the intelligence service anything along the lines Mr. Ko reported to the Assembly. Mr. Mun said he and his wife went to China in July for a belated honeymoon and to meet and thank some people who had supported them when they sought to flee the North. During the trip, Ms. Jin asked a North Korean broker to videotape her grandmother in Cheongjin, North Hamgyeong province, in North Korea. "At the time, the broker suggested that video- recording the opium farm will earn us money, but we declined such an offer, only asking for the news of our relatives," Mr. Mun said. "I told the National Intelligence Service just that when I was questioned on Aug. 18 for 40 minutes after making my way back from China. But the government is telling a different story." [Drugs][Defector reports]
GNP's Stand on Probe into Truth about Past History under Fire
Pyongyang, September 2 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the National Democratic Front of south Korea issued a statement on Aug. 30 denouncing the row over "pro-north and pro-communism" kicked up by the Grand National Party (GNP), according to Kuguk Jonson Internet site. The statement said: This row once again discloses the nature of the traitorous party steeped in the bad habit of confrontation. This is nothing but a criminal attempt to foil the probe into the truth behind the past history, stamp out what has been achieved by the movement for independence, democracy and reunification and bring back the old era of dictatorship.
Critics Rap Roh's Reform Plan
By Jung Sung-ki Staff Reporter About 500 senior conservatives from various fields Thursday issued a strongly worded statement denouncing the government's policy direction, including plans to abolish the National Security Law, which they say are damaging the nation's identity.
Draft-Dodgers to Get Heavier Punishment
By Kim Rahn Staff Reporter The authorities will hand down jail terms of up to five years to those damaging their bodies or committing fraud to avoid conscription, in an effort to prevent draft irregularities, following a large-scale draft-dodging scandal involving baseball players. [Human rights]
Wartime Massacres of Civilians to Come to Light
By Yoo Dong-ho Staff Reporter The Defense Ministry said Wednesday it recently launched a fact-finding panel to look into massacres of civilians during the 1950-53 Korean War and questionable past activities by military authorities. ``We've inaugurated a special mission to clear up lingering suspicion surrounding damage to civilians and other atrocities committed by the military while on operations,'' a ministry official said. [Human rights]
Hegemony struggle in Northeast Asia intensifies
Choo Jaewoo Who would have thought the rivalry between China and Japan in the post-Cold War era would become more sour than it was during the Cold War when the two pinpointed one another as a threat to the other's existence?
Everything evolves around the relationship between China and the United States. They are basically shaping the course of the region's international relations. Along the course, however, it seems that there is a growing possibility that Japan may insert itself into the picture as a representative of the United States when and if it cannot spare its energy and attention for other world affairs. Korea is stuck in between this division of international structures.
'Repeal is one step toward reunification.'
The anti-communist National Security Law must be abolished to enable greater bilateral exchanges across the Korean Peninsula and lead toward a peaceful reunification, a ruling party lawmaker said yesterday. Rep. Lee Hwa-young of the Uri Party told The Korea Herald, "In the case of East and West Germany, unification came as free communications and human exchanges became possible. As long as the National Security Law exists, inter-Korean exchanges will continue to be hampered." Contacts with North Koreans and exposure to communist ideologies are strictly forbidden under the law, which was first enacted in 1948 and underwent several revisions over the past 50 years.
"We all believe South Korea, as a liberal democratic state, has superior military, economy and ideology to the communist North. Then, why do they worry that South Koreans may be lured into communism? Don't you think it is antinomy?" said Lee, who won his first term in parliament in the April general elections. "North Korea also has a law prohibiting its people from visiting the South freely. However, to take the lead in increasing bilateral cooperation and lead North Korea toward greater reform and openness, we first should scrap the law." Disputing claims by conservative foes that people would wave North Korean flags in the center of Seoul if the law were abrogated, Lee said, "Do they really believe people will do such things? If that takes place ever, people will regard them just as crazy. Opposition lawmakers are stirring up vulgar sentiments by using excessive exaggeration."

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