CHOSUN ILBO

As Armed Militias Prepare "Free Korea March," Watchdogs Warn of Impending Civil Conflict

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(SEOUL) - The consequences of the recent elections are becoming ever clearer, as prominent Golden Korea Alliance (GKA) leaders and factions of the Korean Democratic Union (KDU) militias have announced a "Free Korea March." Intended to begin in the GKA stronghold of Busan, GKA leaders proclaimed that the march would go through the cities of Changwon, Jeonju, Seoul, Kaesong, and eventually Pyongyang, with the stated goal to pressure "democratic realization in Korea." A major pressure point is the political prison camps in the North, which Northern WPK Governors have steadfastly refused to open. Reminiscent of the "March for Liberty", organizers have promised that they will not be "bullied" into submission, alluding to their heavy armament.

WPK General-Secretary Choe Ryong-hae has demanded that the Premier and his government put an end to the "quasi-insurrection," a sentiment echoed by the Northern governors. The Premier has remained silent, and sources within the Korean National Defense Forces confirm that no additional forces have been put on high alert yet.

As a result of the March and the WPK's response, a number of Korean watchdog groups are beginning to sound alarm bells, warning of a high potential of violent civil conflict in the coming months. In the words of one group:

"The highly contentious nature of the elections, not to mention the nature with which the People Power Party joined the governing coalition, provides for a high likelihood of civil conflict. Right-wing groups such as the Golden Korea Alliance and factions of the Korean Democratic Union are hostile not only to the communist groups in the North, which they were prior to the election, but also the political centre. The March provides an opportunity for this frustration to come to the forefront, as heavily armed and angry right-wing militia members will inevitably come into contact with centrist and communist opposition."