Responses to the `Recognition of KTU and Dong-eui Univ. Affair as Pro-democracy Movement`

Presidential candidates from the ruling and the opposition parties expressed contrary responses to the decision that `the commission to compensate and restore the honor of the people related to pro-democracy movements¡° recognized 46 persons related to the affair of Dong-eui Univ. Busan and 1139 dismissed teachers of Korean Teachers and Educational Workers` Union (KTU) as contributors to the democratization of Korea.

Lee Hoi-Chang candidate from Grand National Party (GNP) opposed to the decision while Roh Moo-Hyun candidate from New Millennium Democratic Party was careful to express his viewpoint.

▽Lee Hoi-Chang side = Candidate Lee side criticized, “the decision of the commission is an arrogant judgment going against the history.”

They think that they can recognize the KTU’s protest as a contribution to educational renovation against authoritative education, but as the Supreme Court and the constitutional court sentenced both of the cases as illegal, converting the decision might yield new conflicts.

Special advisor Yang Hwee-Boo asked back, “especially Dong-eui Univ. affair was an extreme violence beyond the limit killing 7 policemen. Though KTU did something for democratization, what can we say to the ordinary teachers for the recognition of KTU activity as pro-democratic movement? ” “I cannot agree to the current administration’s dichotomy itself that divides everything into for or against democracy, ” added he.

▽Roh Moo-Hyun side = Candidate Roh side postponed expressing the official viewpoint. Yoon Jong-Pil press advisor answered, “we had no room to think over the subject. We are going to examine it ” to the question asking, “does candidate Roh agree to the decision of the commission? ”

Candidate Roh side explained, “Roh can reveal his point of view through the internal discussion, but he can not afford to discussing the matter as presidential race camp was just dissolved, and new lineup of assistants is under arraying. ”

In-Soo Song issong@donga.com