GNP unanimously criticizes June 15 Joint Declaration

Posted on : 2009-06-16 12:04 KST Modified on : 2009-06-16 12:04 KST
GNP attributes N. Korea’s first nuclear test to the declaration, and attributes it to Kim Dae-Jung and Kim Jong-il’s ambitions
 chairperson of  the ruling Grand National Party criticizes the June 15 Joint Declaration at the Supreme Council meeting held in the National Assembly
chairperson of the ruling Grand National Party criticizes the June 15 Joint Declaration at the Supreme Council meeting held in the National Assembly

On June 15, the 9th anniversary of the June 15 Joint Declaration, the ruling Grand National Party (GNP) unanimously engaged in defamation against the declaration. Until now the GNP and the Cheong Wa Dae (the presidential office in South Korea or Blue House) have said that they would uphold the June 15 Joint Declaration.

GNP Chairperson Park Hee-tae said, “The first nuclear test occurred during the leftist government following the June 15 Joint Declaration,” at its Supreme Council meeting held in National Assembly Monday. Gong Sung-jin, a Supreme Council member, also criticized the declaration by saying, “I have to say that the June 15 Joint Declaration resulted in a vacuum disregarding South Korea’s security and permitted North Korea’s nuclear armament.” Gong also denounced the declaration in a radio broadcast by saying, “The June 15 Joint Declaration was made possible by both former President Kim Dae-jung’s desire for the Nobel Peace Prize and Kim Jong-il’s desire for nuclear armament.” Cho Yoon-sun, the spokesperson for the GNP said Sunday that “The June 15 Joint Declaration was a mere event in that the two leaders who participated in the declaration did not prepare a plan of execution.”

Some observers say the GNP’s assault on the June 15 Joint Declaration is intended to scar former President Kim Dae-jung’s legacy following his recent remarks criticizing the current administration in his keynote speech delivered at the 9th Anniversary of the June 15 South-North Declaration ceremony held at the KLI 63 Building located in Yeouido, Seoul on June 11. Kim had said,“I emphasize with great heartbreak that if one does not act against injustice, he is already on the side of evil.”These assaults may also reveal the intention of the GNP to turn people’s interests away from the situation of the death of former President Roh Moo-hyun towards the confrontation between North Korea and South Korea.

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