[News Analysis] A stronger voice from conservative forces ahead of elections

Consevative groups say at a press conference on September 12 that they would launch a campaign to get 5 million signatures to stop discussion on the transfer of wartime operational control,

The opposition of conservative groups to the transfer of wartime operational control from the U.S. back to South Korea has rapidly developed into a political struggle. The groups look to focus on ’security,’ but are apparently aiming at the presidential election to be held next year.

Conservative organizations yesterday flatout revealed that their opposition to the transfer of wartime command is a

political activity targeting the presidential election. Eleven groups, including the Korea Veterans Association (KVA), the New Right Union (NRU), and the Christian Council of Korea (CCK), launched a campaign to get 5 million signatures to ’stop discussion on the transfer of wartime operational control,’ saying, "We will gain strength to back a candidate who promises to renegotiate wartime command."

Such a remark seems clear indication that these groups will attempt to exert influence on the next presidential election. The remark is also seen as an actual ’declaration of support’ for the Grand National Party (GNP), which is opposed to the wartime command transfer.

Regarding the campaign against the transfer of wartime command, Prof. Son Ho-cheol of Sogang University said, "Its characteristics are a combination of a sense of threat to security, complaint against the current government, and concentration of cold-war forces ahead of the next election. The conservatives appear to have two goals at the same time: clarifying their will to recover the political power and applying pressure so that they will firmly make the GNP [the figurehead for their ideology]."

Rep. Kim Hyon-mi of the ruling Uri Party, however, said, "The influence of the issue will not be strong, as [the GNP’s stance] solidifies an image of conservatism, signifying a return to the past. Instead, figures of the past emerge at the fore, strengthening the old-fashioned and obsolete image of the GNP."

On contrary, Professor Kang Won-taek of Soongsil University said, "There were some unreasonable factors in the process, but it is difficult to place blame on conservative groups suggesting for bringing up political issues and clarifying their political inclinations."

The GNP welcomes the movement of conservative groups, but on the other hand, it is concerned that its hardened image will have a negative effect on its efforts to expand ties with non-conservative forces. Overall, though, the main opposition party, however, looks delighted at the situation, because they think that public sentiment is moving toward their platform. When the wartime command transfer was raised, a majority of GNP members was opposed to it. Therefore, the GNP strived to prepare a countermeasure.

Nevertheless, the GNP has not shown any intention to join hands with conservative forces. Rep. Hwang Woo-yea, secretary general of the GNP, said that "the party chairman will meet leaders of those groups at an appropriate time and members of the party frequently will hold rallies to oppose the wartime command transfer. But it is not proper for the party to come out to the fore." The GNP seems to worry that a direct alliance with conservative forces may solidify the party’s image as ultra-right.

Koh Won, a senior researcher at Seoul National University’s Institute of Korean Political Studies, said, "It is the conservatives’ ’political strategy of hatred’ which inspires abhorrence for the Roh Moo-hyun administration and progressive-liberal forces. When the right-wing conservatives give rise to hatred, the GNP takes a little bit weaker position. In this way, [their roles complement one another]." His remark means that right-wing conservatives play the part of the "villain," while allowing the GNP to obtain political headway.