[Editorial] President Roh`s Advocacy for Communism Pushes Envelope Too Far

President Roh, during his state visit to Japan, reportedly said, "Real democracy in South Korea will be completed only when the activities of a communist party are allowed." This poses a serious problem to national security. The problem has different aspects than those posed by other problems like his use of slang and inappropriate language. It also differs from the dispute over the legitimacy of the National Security Law, which contains legal, ideological and human rights issues. It is directly related to the fundamental ideas of the Constitution as well as basic social order.

The Constitution guarantees plurality of political parties and their activities. Therefore, theoretically, establishment of a communist party is not impossible. But our Constitution does not allow establishment of a political party that denies, in its platform and policy, individuals with the right to personal property and the market principle. That is why the Constitution authorizes dissolution of a political party that is deemed illegitimate and unconstitutional.

The Blue House explained, "It was his own personal opinion about the communist parties which stand within the legal boundary of western society and Japan." It is a denial of the special reality South Korea faces however. Most western countries and Japan have not experienced the geographical and ideological division Koreans currently experience. Their constitutions do not have any provisions imposing a duty to pursue unification. On the other hand, our Constitution expressly states that the government has an obligation to pursue peaceful unification with the North Korean regime, as long as the pursuit does not violate democratic orders.

The provision presupposes confrontation with the North Korean communist regime. Thus, we cannot treat the regime as equivalent to communist parties in the West and in Japan. Being aware of these circumstances, how could our President advocate recognition of a communist party in South Korea? How can he be made understood to most South Koreans who went through the Korean War?

The President has the legal obligation to defend our Constitution. His remarks, however, seriously undermine its stability. His speech itself poses danger to our social structure, without any further action on his part. President Roh has stretched the envelope too far. Now it`s time for him to address the whole nation and apologize for this imprudent behavior. He is the one who should being asking for forgiveness.

By Lim Chae-chung, editorialist