S. Korean political parties condemn N. Korean rocket launch

(ATTN: UPDATES with more details, comments throughout)
SEOUL, April 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korean political parties on Sunday condemned
North Korea's rocket launch, emphasizing that the move raised international
tensions and could hurt cross-border relations.
The ruling Grand National Party (GNP) said the launch is a clear provocation and
a violation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1718 that prohibited the
communist country from engaging in ballistic missile development.
"The South Korean government will be compelled to take action against the North
through the United Nations," said party spokesman Yoon Sang-hyun.
He stressed that by firing off a missile in spite of international warnings, the
North has taken an irrevocable step.
"It makes no sense that a country unable to properly feed its people should spend
money to develop weapons that can attack other countries," the lawmaker said.
Yun said that while Pyongyang may ask for compensation for giving up its new
strategic weapon, it is imperative that no money change hands to reward the
country.
Echoing this view, GNP floor leader Hong Joon-pyo said the launch will only lead
to closer ties between South Korea and the United States.
"There is no reason for the general public to be concerned," the party leader said.
The conservative opposition Liberty Forward Party, which had been critical about
lenient policies towards the North by the past two liberal administrations, said
that the launch highlighted the need for Seoul to join the Proliferation Security
Initiative. The initiative launched by the Bush administration in 2003 aims to
interdict ships suspected of carrying weapons of mass destruction and related
materials.
Party chief Lee Hoi-chang called for sanctions against the North and said that if
the need arises, Seoul should consider joining the U.S.-led missile defense
program.
He claimed that the launch is the result of appeasement policies carried out by
the Kim dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun administrations in the past decade.
Condemnations also came from liberal political parties, although lawmakers called
for restraint and dialogue to cope with the latest provocation by the communist
country that detonated a nuclear device in October 2006.
The main opposition Democratic Party said it opposes all activities that can
raise tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
It said the launch which took place despite opposition from neighboring countries
is regrettable.
The liberal party called on the conservative Lee Myung-bak administration to
engage in dialogue with the North to diffuse tensions.
"The number one responsibility of the government is to maintain peace and
stability," said Rep. Noh Young-min. The party spokesman called on the government
to refrain from allowing the latest move to solidify the current tensions that
have that have marked bilateral relations ever since President Lee took office
last year.
The Democratic Labor Party, which has taken a conciliatory view towards the North
and been critical of Seoul, said that top priority must be placed on determining
if the rocket carried a warhead or satellite.
It added that the government should not take premature actions that could further
complicate future efforts to diffuse tensions.
National Assembly speaker Speaker Kim Hyung-o, meanwhile, said in a statement
that the move could lead to sanctions and cause the North to become more
isolated.
The speaker said the government should engage in close dialogue with the United
Nations, United States, Japan, China and Russia to effectively deal with the
latest security concern.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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