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a spectre is haunting in s. korea

the two suicides look miles apart, but they share roots: both are committed by victims of the current administration's purging of everything that looks "left" in their standards. the administration is expressing its deepest regret and vowing to cope with the following events (mostly related to the funeral procession) with utmost respect and high protocol. but the police have been blocking/containing mourners who had voluntarily set up ad hoc services for mourners in the city center. this has led to scuffles and outcries, both online and offline. enormous steam is building up among the masses. with mounting grievances under the current administration, south korea needs only a small spark for something big to blow up. a big showdown seems almost inevitable.

at the current moment, ex-president roh's death is overshadowing all other social issues (and will for a predictable time), including labor issues and the continuing yongsan struggle. but those issues can (and should) be bridged. i only hope for the active participation of labor and the leftist bloc in the construction of a broad united front. the importance of the two progressive parties in the national assembly is paramount. should they be able to show leadership and bridge the two events + the two constituents, this may turn into an opportune moment for the s. korean leftist movements in the long run.

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