Seniors Go on National Campaign against National Security Law Abolition

Senior participants in the 9/9 declaration of current state affairs said, “We have to make the current peril in state affairs widely known,” and are planning to launch a national drive to react against the ruling party and the government.

About ten seniors, including Chairman Chung Ki-seung of “Lawyers who Think of the Constitution,” the former Minister of Internal Affairs, Yonsei University Professor Emeritus Kim Dong-kil, former assemblyman Lee Dong-bok, chairman of the veterans’ club Lee Sang-hoon, and chair of Retired Generals Club Oh Ja-bok, are scheduled to have a breakfast meeting at the Seoul Club at 7:30 a.m. on September 15.

Former Assemblyman Lee said, “It is important to raise awareness to the people that it is a state of crisis,” adding, “We will decide on a specific activity direction at the breakfast meeting.” It was made known that the meeting will discuss seniors making speeches in local areas, a signature petition drive against the abolition of the National Security Law, and holding a discussion inviting each party’s leader or related governmental officials. One senior member who will attend the meeting said, “We will expand our efforts by making local area speeches under the subject of ‘Diagnosis and Counter Measures for the Current State of Affairs,’ and a signature petition drive against the abolition,” and added, “We will also work with conservative organizations in the campaign against the abolition.” Meanwhile, General Secretary Kim Ku-bu of the Free Citizens’ Alliance of Korea, which works as a secretarial office for the seniors’ campaign, said, “So far, we have sent out 6,000 letters asking people to join the campaign, and 1,500 have joined,” and added, “We will continue with the signature petition drive by the seniors as well.”

Yi-Young Cho lycho@donga.com