Ruling Party Also Brings up `Reprimand of Unification Minister Lim Dong-Won`

While the Grand National Party (GNP) has been raising the Unification Minister Lim Dong-Won`s responsibility for the controversies in relation to the Pyongyang 8.15 Grand Festival of the National Reunification, some members of the Millennium Democratic Party (MDP) also insisted that the government should reconsider the policy on North Korea and the responsibility of Minister Lim on Tuesday.

Rep. Cho Soon-Hyung said at the party`s meeting, attended by Minister Lim, that President`s efforts, who initiated a new historical beginning in terms of the South-North relation, have been damaged by the incidents, with possible retrogression of the efforts. He said that related people along with the Minister of Unification should take responsibilities for the incidents.

Cho, pointing out the government`s careless measures beforehand, said that the government should have thoroughly evaluated those who had potential to be involved unexpected activities since some of the participating organizations and individuals were reported to have been defined as `organizations benefiting enemy` under the juridiction`s judgment.

Lee In-Jae, the highest council member, said that the government policy on North Korea should change since people are concerned about two things, that is, whether the legitimacy of South Korea is damaged, and whether the government is manipulated by the North`s strategic tactics for reunification.

Moon Chul fullmoon@donga.com