The New Socialist Party (NSP) commemorates this year its 25^th anniversary of foundation. Soon after the establishment, it has lost parliamentary seats in the succeeding elections. Since then the party has experienced many difficulties. Its sufferings reflect agony of people who face acute social inequalities and spreading poverty. The NSP is resolute once again to continue fighting together with people, staying close to them.

LET’S FIGHT TO REGAIN SOCIAL RIGHTS!

Party members have been well ready to encounter obstacles. The party’s experiences are a series of struggles. Our continuing efforts constitute assets shared by party members and supporters who have overcome hardships.

We cannot stop fighting, however, though party members are aging. Amid severe attacks in the 1980s to divide and privatize the National Railway Corporation, the then-National Railway Trade Union was determined to fight firmly, rejecting death without resistance.

Poverty spreads and people lose rights

The NSP members are ready to continue fighting: people are thrown in poverty and labor unions are absent in the workplaces. Workers’ organizations used to help members. But now workers are split and left in solitary, overwhelmed by self-responsibility campaigns. They are exposed to harsh competitions and harassments. Irregular workers suffer from low wages in a limited period of employment. The elderly receive steadily decreasing pensions, paying higher taxes. Young parents with children are too busy.

People are stripped off the social rights, which they have successfully won through struggles. They have lost accesses to public services. The governments’ reforms have left people only pains, as they had loudly propagated about the reforms entailed by aches.

Taxation, in particular, is a good example. The rich and big businesses have not only been alleviated from tax burdens, exempted from their responsibilities to pay more, but also they attempted to let people give up public services; they have turned to emphasizing surges of the consumption tax rates to reduce their duties. They have tried to create constant budget shortages in the field of public services.

Injustice will not last infinitely. It began at the onset with inequality imposed by a rule of jungle.

In Republic of Korea the candle revolution, attracting 17 million people, has impeached the then-president, and thus, civic forces have brought about a democratic president. In the process of political changes every citizen has learned most advanced wisdom and spirit of today. Consequently, they have had the corrupted politics go away.

Let’s go beyond established framework

Let’s listen sincerely to voices of people who suffer in the ruined society that became wild. Let’s discuss realities we face today. In order to grasp these voices correctly, we must learn broadly about the social rights, like employment and welfare, as well as issues that hamper and erode civil liberties.

Let’s make it clear how rights pertain to us so as to live humanely. Let’s share views to tackle obstacles. Thus we could win sympathy of people and begin fighting together for common goals.

It is crucial for us to engage in various social movements to meet a broader range of people beyond the established framework in order to reach our destination.

The NSP will hold the 25^th Party Convention on April 24 and 25. On this occasion party members must work hard to launch new strategies to counterattack social inequalities.

March 24, 2020

The convention is postponed till July due to difficulties coming from the epidemic. (- translator)