North Korean defectors to launch party

Updated September 7, 2010 13:05:32

Scores of former North Korean soldiers who defected to South Korea plan launch a party this week aimed at toppling the communist regime in Pyongyang.

The defectors say they hope to conduct anti regime activities with the help of serving North Korean soldiers.

Presenter: Kanaha Sabapathy
Speakers: Jung Ha Won, AFP correspondent, Seoul; Professor Jung Hoon Lee, Yonsei University, Seoul

SABAPATHY: The North Korean People's Liberation Front, bringing together some 200 former North Korean soldiers, will be formally launched on Thursday in Seoul.

And while the party's aim to topple the Kim Jong Ill regime may seem too ambitious, its formation alone is significant, as Jung Ha Won, the AFP correspondent in Seoul explains.

JUNG: There have been numerous associations or groups made up by North Korean defectors, but they were mostly just civilians who wanted to promote their human rights causes or any other related issues. But this one is the first one that brings together former North Korean military members.

SABAPATHY: The launch of the NKPLF comes at a time when North Korea is in the throes of a possible political succession, with the ailing Kim Jong Ill expected to hand over power to his third son, Kim Jong Eun.

For the first time since 1966 the full gathering of the ruling Workers Party of Korea is scheduled to take place this week to signal the new successor.

Professor Jung Hoon Lee from Yonsei University says the timing of the launch of the NKPLF is also significant.

LEE: There is a provisional government being formed outside of North Korea which could give the impression that there is an alternative to the regime that exists in North Korea.

SABAPATHY: The NKPLF plans to topple the communist regime by working with anti regime groups and their former military colleagues, still serving in the North, to ferment discontent and disloyalty.

They say they aim to fund many projects that they have lined up. But in an interview in Korean with Ms Jung the party was reluctant to elaborate on its plans.

JUNG: A lot of North Korean defectors in Seoul do stay in touch with their relatives or family members through brokers in China or by mobile phone networks. So, I'm pretty sure they keep in touch with some of their former colleagues that way. But obviously they have several projects going on that will strengthen anti regime activities in North Korea or within its military. But they have a lot of concerns about security for their former colleagues, so they didn't really elaborate on the specifics about their projects.

SABAPATHY: Whatever projects the NKPLF may have in mind to destabilise the Kim regime, Professor Lee remains sceptical about their actual impact on the North Korean society.

LEE: What gets to be formed in South Korea may not necessarily have very large influence as to what goes on in North Korea. You know, it's about information and propaganda and as you know North Korea is one of the most cocooned societies in the world and therefore they may have difficulties trying to infiltrate and penetrate into the North Korean society and pose as an alternative to the regime.

SABAPATHY: Currently, North Korea is experiencing its worst food crisis. And while this may enlarge discontent with the regime, Professor Lee is not sure if it would really help the NKPLF's purposes.

LEE: When have North Korean people been really happy and with a full stomach? So, it's not something new in a society like North Korea. I do not think we can take things out of proportion and expect the society or the regime to fall apart as a result of the recent food crisis.

SABAPTHY: So, where to for the NKPLF? While its launch comes at a significant time of political change within North Korea, can it become the force for change in the North? Professor Lee.

LEE: There are many different groups that have formed among the defectors, so if this Liberation Front has the support of a significant majority then it could be very effective. But if there are different opposition groups, then it may not have the kind of influence that it hopes to have.