"Law on Human Rights in North" Will Do Harm to North-South Relations: KCNA Commentary

Pyongyang, September 23 (KCNA) -- The south Korean conservative forces are moving to pass the "bill on human rights in the north" through the "National Assembly" session.
    The conservative forces including those of the "Saenuri Party" are busy with their moves to railroad the bill that has been kept outstanding at the NA for more than a decade, under the pretext of "protecting and promoting human rights of north Korean inhabitants".
    There is a question why they are in a hurry for the enactment of the "law on human rights in the north" at this moment.
    Now is the most sensitive time for the improvement of the north-south relations and the "law on human rights in the north" is considered to be the most serious declaration of confrontation between social systems.
    All the Koreans are looking forward to seeing the north-south relations developing in the direction of dialogue, cooperation and peace in the spirit of the agreement reached at the north-south high-level urgent contact.
    Moreover, the reunion of separated families and relatives is high on the agenda thanks to the north-south Red Cross working contact, and the talks between the authorities between the north and the south are also expected.
    The conservative forces of south Korea are getting zealous for the adoption of the hackneyed law, quite contrary to the atmosphere of dialogue against this backdrop. Is it not a revelation of their displeasure about this atmosphere or intention to disturb it?
    The "bill on human rights in the north" is peppered with poisonous articles reflecting inveterate repugnancy towards the DPRK and those slinging mud at it and "overthrowing its social system".
    If the confrontation between the fellow countrymen is fixed by law through the adoption of the "law", the atmosphere of improving the north-south relations will be iced overnight, driving them into the worst phase of confrontation.
    The south Korean ultra-right conservative forces displeased with the atmosphere of improving the north-south relations are seeking to torpedo the efforts for it by adopting the law, timed to coincide with the U.S. and other hostile forces' "human rights" racket against the DPRK.
    As well known, "human rights" issue touted by the hostile forces does not exist under the socialist system centered on the popular masses in our country chosen and protected by themselves.
    The anti-DPRK "human rights" racket is a stumbling block lying in the way of achieving national reconciliation and unity and improving the north-south relations as it is a negation of the ideology, social system and dignity of the DPRK.
    All the dishonest moves of the south Korean conservative forces aimed to do harm to the ideology and social system of the DPRK with hostility toward them have blocked the implementation of the north-south agreements and thrown the bilateral relations into the mire of confrontation. This is a lesson taught by history.
    The south Korean authorities would be well advised to immediately stop the good-for-nothing moves for adopting the above-said law. -0-