GNP Chairman Park Geun-hye’s National Assembly Speech

On April 8, Grand National Party (GNP) chair Park Geun-hye criticized President Roh Moo-hyun’s “conception of Korea as a balancer-nation in northeast Asia.” She commented, “It is contradictory to seek to become a balancer in the Northeast Asian region and, at the same time, to enhance the Korea-U.S. alliance.”

On the same day, delivering an address on the behalf of the GNP in the National Assembly, Chairman Park said, “Being a balancer in northeast Asia reminds me of Daehanjeguk (the imperial continuation of the Joseon dynasty from 1897 to 1910). The empire had declared its futile neutrality just before the Russo-Japan War in 1904, 100 years ago.” She continued, pointing out, “At present, China, Japan, and Russia, as well as North Korea, do not recognize South Korea as a balancer in the region. Under the circumstances, any more isolation outside the framework of the Korea-U.S. alliance would not serve Korea’s interests.” On Japan’s sovereignty claims on Dokdo, Chairman Park emphatically said, “We will propose a bill for a ‘Dokdo Day’ in the upcoming extra session to further Korea’s effective control over the islets. We plan to promote a ‘special law to preserve and make the most of Dokdo.’”

The GNP chairman suggested as a nation-wide project a “Dream Start” program that holds the government responsible for nurturing and teaching children from lower-income families. In addition, she promised to eradicate sex crimes by introducing a chip-implant system or electronic bracelet system for those who habitually commit sexual assaults.

Seung-Heon Lee ddr@donga.com