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South Korean society is now in a position to allow the repealing of the controversial Article 7 of the National Security Law, according to North Korea human rights activist Kim Young Hwan.
Delivering a special lecture to a packed theater at Yonsei University in Seoul last night, Kim explained, “I think that the South Korean people are strong enough psychologically that there would be no danger [in repealing Article 7]. Some people respond that if Article 7 is repealed then people will start praising the Kims, but doing that only brings isolation to those people, it doesn’t bring them greater support.”
By repealing Article 7, which prohibits statements and actions in praise of North Korea, people who do support Pyongyang would be required to come out into broad daylight, and this would only serve to reveal the bankruptcy of their beliefs, Kim noted, saying, “Pro-North Korea factions expand when they live in the shadows. When they come out into the open they wither.”
Buttressing his claim, Kim pointed to the case of Lee Seok Gi, once a comrade in the underground People’s Democratic Revolutionary Party during the 1990s but someone who is currently a lawmaker with the left wing United Progressive Party. Lee’s attempts to operate in the National Assembly as a legitimate lawmaker have become mired in allegations of electoral fraud and claims that he recently commented, “Being pro-America is a bigger problem than being pro-North Korea.”
However, in supporting the repeal of Article 7, Kim also cautioned against arguing for the complete repeal of the National Security Law itself, pointing out that it contains provisions to counter espionage activities and other aspects deemed vital to South Korean national security.
Last nights lecture was organized by NKnet, with the assistance of Yonsei University Graduate School of International Studies.
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