NGOs sharply divided

The NGOs of Korea have expressed different views about the death of Kim Jong-il. Especially, the issue of offering condolences is dealt in an extremely different way.

Left-wing NGOs such as PSPD and Nanummunhwa gave condolences but right-wing NGOs such as NRU and CUBS had a fairly negative attitude to condolences.

PSPS released a statement on 19 and said, “Our condolences to Chairman Kim Jong-il. The Korean government and NGOs must cope with this in a calm and prudent manner in order to avoid unnecessary division and split like we had one in 1994 just after the death of Kim Il-sung.”

Nanummunhwa also released a statement on 19 and said, “Our condolences to Chairman Kim Jong-il. President Lee Myung-bak and all the parties must cooperate in order to have support from USA, China, Japan and Russia. The people of North Korea and especially, children can suffer from starvation during the power vacuum and emergency food aid must be provided sooner rather than later.”  

NRU issued a statement on 19 and said, “Kim Jong-il is the symbol of terror, war and violation of human rights. We cannot say ‘sad’ easily. Nothing can be changed with his death and evil means of controlling the people still goes on.’

CUBS also issued a statement on 19 and said, “Kim Jong-il’s act of terrorism, dictatorship and violation of human rights are definite facts. It is impossible to express condolences.”  

news@theasian.asia