[Editorial] Opportunist Politicians

GNP Chairman Kang Jae-sup visited the Honam region and said, “The current government’s engagement policy toward the North ruined the former government’s sunshine policy.” The GNP explained that the statement was aimed to stress that President Roh’s engagement policy was very wrong, but it was obvious that the statement was aimed at supporting the sunshine policy.

Even though the presidential election is just around the corner, it is pitiful that the party is siding with the policy that is the original form of the current policy that caused the current North Korean nuclear crisis. It is not in line with GNP’s characteristic. It is doubtful that the party does not know that the sunshine policy poured sunshine and gave water and fertilizer to the North’s nuclear weapons development, and that the current government’s policy is just another form of it.

Experts around the world estimate that Kim Jong Il will not give up nuclear weapons unless his life or the regime is at risk. However, the supporters of sunshine policy and former president Kim Dae-jung still support the North with fantasies that the country will give up its nuclear weapons if the South provides even more carrots. Is Chairman Kang siding with them now?

Uri Party leader Kim Geun-tae’s efforts to support the sunshine and engagement policy are evenly pathetic. The character of the party is questionable when its leader is planning to visit Gaesong Industrial Complex and Mount Geumgang when UN Security Council is about to enforce sanctions against the North. It seems as if the party’s intentions are aimed at undermining coordination between the Korean government and the international society, and give weight to pro-North Korean leftists.

National security is not tradable like other goods. Therefore, supporting the sunshine policy that harmed national security in order to obtain votes in the Honam region is simply irresponsible. Also, it is an insult to the reputation of Honam region and its people.

Presidential candidates should clarify their stance toward the North Korean nuclear issue. A candidate who does not clear up their position, and seeks to be an opportunist is not qualified to become the next president. The people, clearly, do not want such politician. An opportunistic politician who merely aims to win votes will be abandoned by the people.