By Shim Jae-yun
Staff Reporter

President Roh Moo-hyun on Tuesday called for further efforts to open an age of national harmony by overcoming lingering regional antagonism.

``Now we need to set up a new democratic system while casting off the outdated way of thinking and practices that were prevalent in the past authoritarian governments,’’ Roh said during an address at a ceremony marking the 24th anniversary of the Kwangju pro-democracy uprising.

He said the Kwangju uprising was righteous as it fought against a dictatorial regime that had attempted to divide the nation in a bid to prolong its stay in power.

``The May 18 uprising showed what real democracy is and who deserves to call for democracy,’’ he said.

Roh also attended the ceremony last year to show the willingness of his participatory government to inherit the spirit of the uprising.

Touching on the April 15 general elections, Roh noted that regional confrontation has begun to show signs of easing, prompted by the polls.

``We are now seeing hope for new politics, and the divisive structure has begun to collapse through the parliamentary elections,’’ he said.

The pro-government Uri Party more than tripled its number of Assembly seats to 152, with overwhelming support in the southwestern Cholla provinces. The Millennium Democratic Party, also traditionally strong in the region, was cut down to a rump party with just nine seats.

Roh has repeatedly said his government will put first emphasis on ending regional division and realizing a politics of harmony and co-existence.

jayshim@koreatimes.co.kr