hankyoreh

By Seok Jin-hwan　
　　　
“The new progressive political party recognizes the North Korean system in the June 15 [declaration] spirit, and respects the position holding that ‘the issue of North Korea’s transmission of power is something difficult to comprehend in popular sentiments and we must express a critical position.’”
This is a portion of Item 3-2 in the final agreement produced early Wednesday morning by the Democratic Labor Party (DLP) and New Progressive Party (NPP). Because of the complex nature of the sentence, it is not easy to determine its precise meaning. The phrasing was the result of a long and difficult process of agreement, with the first part reflecting the position of the DLP and the latter portion that of the NPP. While it represents only a very small part of the overall agreement, the issue it refers to is key to the war of nerves that has dragged on between the two parties to date. It also captures both the reality and limitations of a progressive political party in the Republic of Korea.
The noncommittal phrasing of the agreement shows signs that the difference in views on North Korea that prompted the DLP’s split in 2008 remains an issue. Since discussions on a reunion began, the NPP has used the term “third-generation succession,” while the DLP has opted for “transmission of power.” It is an indication of how sensitive an issue this has been for the two sides.
　　
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