How to translate words into action

We welcome the keynote speeches delivered by the representatives of the ruling and opposition parties during the National Assembly plenary sessions, in which they called for an immediate halt to partisan strife. Main opposition Grand National Party (GNP) president Lee Hoi-Chang called on his fellow politicians to work for the best interests of the people, while bringing an end to inter-party bickering, and Rep. Hahn Hwa-Kap, supreme councilor of the ruling Millennium Democratic Party (MDP), underlined economic recovery efforts and livelihood issues.

From the beginning, the rival parties were engulfed in all-or-nothing partisan struggles instead of promoting mutual cooperation and coexistence. The parties engaged in a brinkmanship contest despite the people`s existing distrust of and disenchantment with politicians. Much belatedly, the parties perceived the popular sentiment and showed a willingness to serve the public.

Although the warring camps agree in principle on the need to end partisan strife, there is still a wide gap in their positions on outstanding issues and how they should go about resolving them.

Stressing the need for a grand political reform, GNP leader Lee put forward overtures such as imposing a ban on political reprisals, eradicating corruption and irregularities and uprooting collusion between the political and business spheres. Lurking behind Lee`s proposals is his deep-rooted distrust of the ruling camp. Contending that both moral and legal principles were infringed upon and the authority of the prosecution and tax authorities abused for purposes of political retaliation was Lee`s way of standing up to the ruling camp`s efforts to forge ahead with its own agenda regardless of the opposition`s views.

Rep. Hahn, acknowledging the wrongs committed by the ruling MDP and the government, called on the ruling and opposition parties to address various difficult problems through dialogue and compromise. Yet, he reaffirmed his party policy regarding the maintenance of a solid coalition partnership with the United Liberal Democrats, the need for a strong ruling party and the necessity of a thorough investigation of the former Agency for National Security Planning`s illegal funneling of budget funds into the then ruling New Korea Party.

It is natural that the rival parties should hold different positions on the current state of affairs and method of addressing pending issues. For this reason, a bipartisan agreement cannot and must not be expected from the outset. The question boils down to how to address their differences of opinion. Their political maturity hinges on whether the discord is resolved through an all-out struggle or dialogue and negotiations. Having seen the negative effect the partisan strife has had on the people`s livelihood, we are inclined to hope that their mutual pledge will not end up as yet another empty promise.

Drawing our attention is the fact that the two major parties have made some changes in their stances on inter-Korean questions. In particular, notable is GNP president Lee`s somewhat progressive position with regard to the planned visit to Seoul by North Korean Defense Commission Chairman Kim Jong-Il. Previously, Lee demanded the North Korean leader`s sincere apology for the Korean War and other terrorist acts as preconditions for his Seoul visit. But Lee recently softened his stance, saying that Kim`s Seoul trip would provide momentum for the settlement of a lasting peace on the Korean peninsula. Nonetheless, he once again urged Kim to offer an apology. At any

rate, his new approach to the crucial issue of inter-Korean relations seems realistic and reasonable in light of recent developments.

Rep. Hahn`s overture for the GNP head to visit North Korea and meet with Kim Jong-Il is also a positive development, although this would necessitate overcoming a number of delicate problems. If and when the proposed end to inter-party strife materializes, there is nothing that cannot be discussed and resolved by the rival parties.