Why new coalition party delay visiting graves of two former presidents?

It is a common practice in Korea that the leadership of a political party visits the Seoul National Cemetery and pays respect to the memorial monument and the graves of former presidents before or after major party events, such as the launch of a party. However, the New Politics Alliance for Democracy, a new coalition party of the opposition group, did not follow this tradition when it was launched on Wednesday. Instead, the co-chairmen, Kim Han-gil and Ahn Cheol-soo, went to the Daejeon National Cemetery to participate in a memorial service for the victims of the sinking of Cheonan warship. It would have been better if they had visited the Seoul National Cemetery, but it seems the Democratic Party leadership is hesitant about doing so.

Asked when he would visit the Seoul National Cemetery by the press, Kim said that he has “no plan yet.” Ahn, who had visited the graves of former presidents Rhee Syng-man and Park Chung-hee ahead of the presidential election in 2012 and early this year, avoided answering to the question. Some interpret that there is a conflict within the leadership, regarding whether to pay respect to the graves of the two former presidents.

The new coalition party stresses national unity in particular unlike the Democratic Party. In the public statement on the party establishment, the new party pledged to embrace the values of reasonable conservatism and introspective liberalism. It admitted the achievements of industrialization as well as of democratization. Its party platform clearly indicates the party will lay stress on growth and security. The platform even includes the July 4th North–South Joint Declaration by former president Park Chung-hee and the 1991 Inter-Korean Basic Agreement by former President Roh Tae-woo in addition to the June 15 North–South Joint Declaration and Oct. 4 Declaration. Still, the new party is reluctant to visiting the graves of former Presidents Rhee Syng-man and Park Chung-hee.

Since the new coalition party has succeeded the Democratic Party, which resisted authoritarianism, it is understandable that some of its members feel uncomfortable about paying respect to the two former presidents. Nevertheless, the two presidents have merits as well as demerits. Former President Rhee founded the Republic of Korea based on free democracy and market economy and defended the nation from North Korea’s invasion in 1950 although he is criticized for election rigging, violent oppression of protesters during the April 19 Movement and corruption of his aides. Former President Park, who is criticized for the Yushin constitution, oppression of democratic activists and long-term rule, eradicated poverty and laid the economic foundation for Korea. Establishing Korea’s foundation and achieving industrialization are as important as democratization in our history.

With people still vividly remembering the sufferings during the dictatorship, it would not be easy for the leaders of the opposition to pay tribute to the graves of the two former presidents. However, much time has passed and now it is time to take a balanced approach toward the achievement and mi. We should succeed and develop achievements while reflecting on past wrongdoings. Korea is at a crossroads for national unity. Many of the social conflicts and confrontations in our society have been caused by the narrow-mindedness that divides people based on the biased understanding of modern history of Korea. The leaders of the New Politics Alliance for Democracy should show their sincerity and practice reconciliation by paying respects to the graves of the two former presidents.