Internal enemies are more dangerous

But more disturbing to our society are disruptions of our internal order and constitutional values.

Chang Se-jeongThe author is an editorial writer of the JoongAng Ilbo. March 22 marked the ninth anniversary of West Sea Defense Day. The inter-Korean naval skirmish off Yeonpyeong Island on June 29, 2002, North Korea’s torpedoing of Cheonan warship on March 26, 2010 and the North’s shelling of Yeonpyeong Island on Nov. 23 of the same year resulted in the deaths of 55 young sailors. Since 2016, the fourth Friday of March has been designated a national day to commemorate the heroes, raise security awareness and strengthen determination to defend the country.

At this year’s ceremony, hosted at the Navy’s 2nd Fleet Command, President Yoon Suk Yeol warned, “North Korea will surely pay a greater price if it stages reckless provocations.” The North is unlikely to pay attention to the warning from the South’s commander-in-chief. During the Mar. 4–14 “Freedom Shield” joint military exercises by South Korea, the United States and other members of the United Nations Command, North Korea staged its own drills.

On March 18, the North fired six KN-25 short-range ballistic missiles capable of carrying Hwasan-31 tactical warheads. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un ordered the military to remain ready for the complete destruction of Seoul and the South Korean military at any time. After defining inter-Korean relations as being between “two hostile states at war” earlier this year, Kim is now making no secret of his provocative threats and ambitions for armed confrontations.

However, given the overwhelming military prowess of the Korea-U.S. alliance and the South’s economic power, 60 times larger than that of the North, it is nearly impossible for the North to wage an all-out war against the South. Its past behaviors suggest that a full-scale invasion that would hasten the end of the Kim Dynasty is unlikely, while localized provocations are possible.

But more disturbing to our society are disruptions of our internal order and constitutional values. In the past, we have seen only a few such cases, but now, biased ideologies are being consolidated throughout society.

Lee Seok-ki, who won a proportional representative seat for the Unified Progressive Party (UPP) in the 2012 general elections, was jailed after a criminal conviction for the UPP’s high treason case revealed the following year. In 2014, the party was dismantled by a Constitutional Court ruling. And yet, controversy flared after a satellite party affiliated with the majority Democratic Party (DP) assigned top numbers to three candidates recommended by the Jinbo Party, suspected to be the UPP’s successor.

The words and behaviors of Rep. Yoon Mee-hyang, who became a proportional lawmaker thanks to the nomination by a satellite party of the DP in 2020, made us wonder if she really is a lawmaker of this country. During a press conference at the National Assembly earlier this month, Rep. Yoon said, “War practice does not bring peace. We must stop hostilities that could lead to a military conflict.” Is it normal for a lawmaker to repeat Pyongyang’s messages criticizing the annual Korea-U.S. joint drills intended to defend the South against the North’s aggressions?

Cho Kuk, who had proclaimed himself a socialist during the confirmation hearing as a justice minister-nominee in September 2019, has created a political party and seeks to win a proportional seat in the April 10 parliamentary elections. Although he was sentenced to two years in jail for criminal charges at his second trial, he continues to play the victim. Running for office is supposed to be free, but turning a blind eye to this brazen, shameless behavior shakes the laws and morals of our society.

After candidate registration ended on March 22, the campaign for April’s legislative elections formally began. It should not just be an event of electing 300 legislators. Voters must first think seriously about what kind of country we want to build. We need to avoid the forces that shake the foundations of our country from within and destroy our constitutional values. Only then will our liberal democracy be safe. Defending it is not a choice, but our duty. Tuesday marks the anniversary of the birth of founding President Syngman Rhee, and it should remind us of the importance of liberal democracy, which took root in this country.

But more disturbing to our society are disruptions of our internal order and constitutional values.