`Pro-North Korea Leftists Faction` Issue Raised again

Grand National Party member Kim Yong-Kap brought up again the issue of President Kim Dae-Jung`s views at the National Assembly government hearing on unification diplomacy and national security.

Representative Kim questioned, ``Pro-North Korea leftist groups and Kim Jung-Il`s administration call the Korean War `the people`s liberation war` Doesn`t President Kim`s statement that the Korean War was `an unification attempt` during his Armed Forces Day address actually end up supporting this view?``

``The blame for making the people question the motives of this administration and even its identity lies on the President`s shoulder. One worries who is at the center of the pro-North leftists forces who breed so much confusion in our society.`` said Mr. Kim.

Mr. Kim also criticized the Sunshine Policy, saying, ``The Sunshine policy does not benefit fellow North Koreans who are being oppressed but only serves to strengthen Kim Jung-Il`s organization and gives more space for pro-North factions to operate in our country. It is a definite failure and actually a `shadow` policy for 70,000,000 people.``

On the other hand, Democratic Party representative Shin Geh-Ryoon asserted, ``Due to the U.S.`s War on Terrorism, the international politics is in a state of panic. The only reason why the Korean peninsula has been able to remain relative calm is due to the Sunshine Policy.`` and supported continuing the policy. However, GNP member Kim Yong-Kyun stated, ``There are stories of North Korea using the 3 billion dollar aid given for developing Kumkang mountain tourism facilities for buying 40 Mig 21 jet fighters and large scale military training.``

GNP Representative Cho Woong Kyu said, ``At the meeting between representatives from the National Assembly and the Asian Security Adviser to the White House, we heard that Kim Jung-Il is using 20 million of the South`s 40 million dollar aid for the military and the other 20 million for labor.``

However, Democratic Party member Chun Kap-Gil said ``The GNP and party president Lee Hoi-Chang, who condemn the Sunshine Policy as indiscriminate giving, actually made secret promises of a summit meeting, North Korea tourism development, food aid, and countless other aid to North Korea during the 1997 Presidential campaign.`` and urged a thorough investigation.

Meanwhile, GNP member Kwon Oh Eul proposed that food aid be given in exchange for inshore fishing operation or mining rights.

Moon Chul fullmoon@donga.com