Shii meets with leaders of People First Party, Democratic Party, and Democratic Labor Party

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Shii meets with leaders of People First Party, Democratic Party, and Democratic Labor Party

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo in Seoul held talks separately with leaders of the People First Party and the Korean Democratic Party on September 6 and the Democratic Labor Party on September 9, and shared hope with them for future development of relations.

People First Party

JCP Shii Kazuo visited the People First Party head office in Seoul and was received by PFP Supreme Representative Shin Kook-hwan.

In introducing his party, Shin said, "The PFP, which aims to serve the public under advanced democracy, is working as an open party to build relations with all political parties in the world."

In response, Shii said, "Our party has the same stance," and explained that he would meet with all five political parties with seats in the South Korean National Assembly and that the JCP's diplomatic policy is one of seeking to develop relations with political parties in all counties in the world, as long as they are willing to build mutual relations.

Shin said, "The world economy in the 21st century has entered an era of Northeast Asian importance that includes Korea, Japan, and China," and that these three countries "are called upon to make efforts to establish a Northeast Asian economic community by overcoming past obstacles."

Shii pointed out that the need now is for Japan to have an accurate understanding of history, and that making a success of the Six-Party Talks and reaching a comprehensive settlement of problems based on the Japan-DPRK Pyongyang Declaration are necessary for receiving North Korea as a responsible member into the international community.

Democratic Party

JCP Chair Shii Kazuo had talks with South Korea's Democratic Party leader Hahn Hwa Kap in the National Assembly building in Seoul.

Referring to his visit on the previous day to Seodaemun Prison built in 1908 during Japanese imperialism, Shii said he felt proud of JCP members' struggles against the colonization of Korea and in support of Korean independence.

Hahn related his experience of being held for more than two years in Seodaemun Prison when South Korea was under the militarily dictatorial regime. Referring to the recent changes in South Korean society, Hahn said, "It is the first time for the Democratic Party to receive a communist party delegation. This would not have happened if it had not been for the summit that President Kim Dae-jung had with North Korea in 2000."

Pointing out that his party and the JCP have much in common in foreign policy, Hahn expressed hope that the two parties cooperate with each other in the future.

Asked by Hahn to cooperate in the effort to achieve the earliest possible enactment of the bill to give South and North Korean residents in Japan the right to vote, Shii said that the JCP is calling for granting them not only the right to vote but the right to run in elections. "We'll make efforts to find common ground between ruling and opposition parties in order to establish the law as soon as possible," he added.

Democratic Labor Party

JCP Chair Shii Kazuo on September 9 held talks with Democratic Labor Party (KDLP) President Moon Sung Hyun. Kwon Young Ghil, the KDLP National Assembly members' group chair, was also present.

Moon said, "It was not long ago that the police cracked down on anybody who mentioned the name of 'communist party.' So, it's a great pleasure to meet in Seoul with representatives of the JCP with its long tradition."

Referring to his experience of visiting the former Seodaemun Prison, Shii said, "My heart is filled with emotion, too. It is a great pleasure for me to visit South Korea as the JCP chair."

Kwon said, "The greatest significance of the 4th International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) lies in your first visit to the ROK. The Korean media also covers your visit in this way."

Pointing out that it is 61 years after the liberation of the Korean Peninsula from colonial rule that a JCP representative has been allowed to visit South Korea, Shii said, "I am impressed how dramatically the ROK society has changed through the struggles for democratization in opposition to military dictatorship."

Referring to the fact that socialists who had greatly contributed to the movement for independence were persecuted in the north-south division, President Moon said, "That history causes me pain."

Both leaders exchanged opinions about the situation in Japan regarding the movement to defend Article 9 of the Constitution and the prime minister's visit to Yasukuni Shrine. Shii also answered questions asked by the KDLP about the JCP being ranked top in the number of local assembly members and its organ paper activities.
- Akahata, September 7 & 10, 2006