The Unified Progressive Party seems quite
encouraged by the results of the second trial of the Lee Seok Ki case. They are
certain that he will be declared innocent by the Supreme Court on charges of plotting
an insurrection. However, when looking at the sentence or ruling, this seems to
be an interpretation that leans excessively in their own favor. Ultimately, in the
first trial he was found guilty of plotting an insurrection and the second
trial excluded that charge. However, the court in the second trial emphasized that “the charge
of plotting an insurrection was ruled innocent simply due to the lack of
evidence and hope the defendant remembers that the ruling was not due to lack
of fault of the defendant.” It is clear that the action of Assemblyman Lee Seok
Ki must be punished and it is more important that the true nature of this case
was recognized.
Truthfully, it is quite difficult to track
down an underground organization and have them tried before a judge. During the
1980s and 90s, activities of the National Liberation People’s Democracy
Revolution [NL] took place on a very extensive scale. Additionally, there were
many people and considering the numerous large and small organizations; the
underground organization cases until now have only uncovered an extremely
select few. During the democratization of South Korea, cases of public peace were
held to a strict standard. Evidentialism is fundamentally basic, but there was
a tendency for the need for evidence to be even more strictly applied to cases
of public peace. In regards to organizational cases, rulings from the past era
of authoritarianism have even been later changed to innocent, and so the court now
has no choice but to be more prudent.
And it was in this midst that Lee Seok Ki’s
RO [underground revolutionary organization] was uncovered. Although the second
trial court believed the informant, the reason they did not recognize the true nature
of this organization is because the informant’s statement on matters excluding
their own personal involvement and activity such as organizational structure
and members was closer to that of supposition. When looking at the forms and
characteristics of underground organizational activities, this is a severely miserly
approach. For example, underground organizations memorize and store doctrines
in their mind, and never store them as records. A regular member cannot know
the structure of the organization or the entirety of the system. There is no
choice but for internal informants to also face limitations. Despite these
odds, the prosecution would have obtained a significant amount of evidence and
it seems the true nature of the organization is nearly entirely exposed. Furthermore,
an internal informant was able to provide confirmation.
Although some are concerned that the
results of Lee Seok Ki’s second trial will be associated with dissolution of
the Unified Progressive Party case and create a negative impact, there are also
some who that feel it is already too late for the dissolution of the Unified
Progressive Party. It seems that the issue of the Unified Progressive Party
dissolution will be to what extent the court properly considers their true
nature within the context of the realistic conditions of Korean society. NL pro-
North Korean forces are taking branching out to all realms as the fundamental direction
of their activities over their goals, the fight for autonomy, democracy, and
unification. In other words, the natural direction is to shift from illegal to
anti-law and legal, ultimately legalizing the fight for autonomy, democracy,
and unification and moving to actively utilize the various elements of the
legal sphere. It would be a sure mistake to think that “all-people resistance”
path will be discarded just because they step into the legal sphere and attempt
to seize power through elections. Properly combining elections and the
all-people resistance that considers mass struggle as a fundamental concept is matter
of “common sense” in their movement trajectory. Their basic principle is to strengthen
government outskirt frontlines, in other words, groups such as non-government
movement groups and public organizations, and political parties. It is always
an important and central issue for them to build their capabilities and expand
their frontlines without leaning towards bias and discussing preparations for a
crucial moment while setting the direction.
It is important to remember that because
pro-North Korean forces are active in a “revolutionary movement” under said “harsh
conditions”, they are always keen, and trained for tactical application of
concealment and defense and regulation of political activity. They are always
trained to evaluate the state of affairs and act strategically for future
plans. This is an organization that has continuously repeated this sort of evaluation
and action. Furthermore, they will ultimately not back down after taking a hit.
They consider the South Korean revolution a “historical struggle” and have no
need to feel rushed. This is why they
were able to maintain a tenacious lifespan even in the midst of the harsh
conditions of the North and South confrontation.
There are some who state that now that
South Korea is a developed nation, it should not be difficult for us to embrace
differing opinions. It is groundlessly uncomfortable when encountering the opinions
of other countries that without consideration for the divided, confrontational
situation of South Korea hold the country to a general standard and state that
human rights have taken a step back. However, it is necessary to take a cool
look at the reality of the peninsula. The harmful effects of Pro- North Korean
forces’ incitement of social disorder and hindrance of development of society are
too severe.
It is a problem because they are not simply
a critical force. They hold the intent of destroying the South Korean system,
helping North Korean regime to create society like that of North Korea, and
unifying the countries in a North Korea-centric manner. Therefore, they must know
that we are moving based on this knowledge to become an obstacle in their path
and firmly fight while expanding our power. Considering this situation where South
Korea must move forward with the threatening country of North Korea carried on
our head, we cannot help but to objectively think about how tolerant our
society should be. Furthermore, we cannot help but to think about our North
Korean compatriots that are being oppressed by the North Korean dictatorship. When
thinking about our North Korean compatriots, the Kim Jong Eun dictatorship must
fall and a free democratic unification must take place on the peninsula.
The most important things are the minds and
thoughts of the people. The result of the trials may just be another means to
an end. In truth, securely protecting South Korea is a long, hard road. For the
Lee Seok Ki trial and the dissolution of the Unified Progressive Party, it’s
never over ‘til it’s over.
** Views expressed in Guest Columns do not necessarily reflect those of Daily NK.
