[EDITORIALS]Compromise possible ― at last

Park Geun-hye, chairwoman of the Grand National Party has made a comment of some significance. She said that among the guidelines that the conservative party has outlined regarding the National Security Law, she was willing to accept the abolition of the term “National Security Law” and the annulment of the phrase “a command structure with the purpose of claiming the title of the government” that is used to define anti-state organizations. Her proviso was that there be no breach in current national security systems.
In light of the party line, the comments show that the GNP is willing to show flexibility on this highly contentious issue. The ruling party immediately responded positively. What had become a deadlock between the two parties, now seems to hold out the possibility of a negotiated settlement.
The most important thing now, is for both parties to compromise and reach a solution. So far, the way both sides have approached the problem was greatly influenced by party lines and “righteousness of cause.” One side insisted that North-South relations have changed; the other argued equally vehemently that that was not the case. As a result, both sides ended up at daggers drawn.
The fact that both parties have at last found common ground regarding the definition of anti-state organizations proves that there is still some hope in the political arena.
If both sides can agree that North Korea isn’t automatically an anti-state organization, there is much greater room for maneuver regarding other issues. Hence, the comment made by Chairwoman Park should serve as a catalyst, allowing us to view the North-South relationship in a new light. No more should we view matters only through “progressive’ and “conservative” party prisms.
Chairwoman Park’s comment was said to have been made in light of the fact that the relationship between the two countries has progressed, and in (very belated) recognition of the fact that North Korea has been inducted into the UN.
Now, it’s the turn of the ruling party to change. Repeating “The Cold War is over” ad infinitum is simply not enough. There is certainly room to supplement proposed changes to the criminal law and the introduction of a substitute law by the ruling party, but ― above all ― it must listen to the 80 percent of the people who worry about national security.