[Editorial] What is the GNP Doing?

The ruling Uri Party will submit the criminal law revision proposal for the abolishment of the National Security Law to the National Assembly today as planned. They seem unilaterally determined to push forward a controversial proposal that 80 percent of the public is against, with even the prosecutor general commenting that “there are problems with supplementing the criminal law after the security law abolishment.” The people are feeling uneasy for they fear the foundation of national security might be in danger. The ruling party’s unilateral attitude of dismissing public opinion is also adding to the unease.

However, the main opposition, the Grand National Party, has not drawn up any countermeasures. It explains that it is in the midst of the National Assembly’s audit of state affairs, but that is a poor excuse. Though the revision or abolishment of the National Security Law has been a controversial issue for almost two years, the GNP has not even set its party policy. The only development was GNP leader Park Geun-hye’s remark a month ago that the article “regarding North Korea as an anti-state group s trying to assume government status” could be abolished, which came to nothing due to the strong opposition of hardliners. A reduction regarding the crime of negligence and an easing of punishment conditions for the crime of praise and encouragement were proposed, but failed to become party policies.

With the Uri Party’s proposal submission imminent, the GNP says it will “prevent the proposal at all costs.” It may have to block the proposal by force to go against the ruling party’s determined motions. However, it is the GNP’s stance on the issue that the people want to know first.

What move will it take? Though against abolishment, the GNP must clearly state what specific contents can be revised if the party will allow amendment of certain articles. The people can only judge and assess based on the solutions presented by parties.

If the party claiming to be the “mainstream conservatives” cannot present a timely alternative for the abolishment of the National Security Law that most of the people are against, it cannot hope to win the people’s trust. In turn, it cannot become an authoritative party. The GNP must present a clear alternative and engage in a true policy competition with the ruling party. This is the least it can do as an opposition party. More hesitation will only disappoint and anger the public. It should put a stop to the criticism that “the GNP is being pushed around by the ruling party.”