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The Grand National Party has decided to overhaul its North Korea policy given the swift change in relations between the Stalinist country and the United States. The conservative opposition party¡¯s floor leader Kim Hyeong-o said Tuesday the two Koreas, the U.S. and China should do everything they can to replace the armistice that officially still halts hostilities with a permanent peace mechanism. He promised his party would ¡°play a leading role in establishing permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula.¡± The GNP¡¯s chief policymaker Jeon Jae-hee confirmed that the party¡¯s North Korea policies have changed, saying it was ¡°natural to change clothes when seasons change.¡±
The GNP has set up a task force on North Korean affairs. Two lawmakers will visit North Korea next month. The GNP evidently feels a pressing need for a policy shift for fear that aggressive promotion of a second inter-Korean summit by the government and Uri Party¡¯s would put it at a disadvantage. GNP spokeswoman Na Kyung-won said the party needs to dispel the warmongering image the Uri Party and progressives in general have painted of it. But she added there will be ¡°no change in the party¡¯s basic principles¡± -- seeking denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, more transparent aid to North Korea and the promotion of public consensus for any inter-Korean summit.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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