(LEAD) Park calls UPP dissolution 'historical decision'

(ATTN: UPDATES with N. Korea's reaction)

SEOUL, Dec. 20 (Yonhap) -- President Park Geun-hye on Saturday hailed as "historic" the Constitutional Court's order to dissolve the minor leftist Unified Progressive Party (UPP) for being pro-North Korean in a ruling that is expected to deepen an ideological divide in South Korea.

"(The Constitutional Court's ruling) is a historical decision that strongly protects liberal democracy in the country," Park said, commenting on the Friday ruling, according to her chief spokesman, Yoon Doo-hyun.

The top court ordered disbandment of the UPP in an 8-1 vote, saying that the principles and activities of the party violated the "basic democratic order" of South Korea.

It is the first time in South Korea that a political party has been dissolved by judicial power.

With the ruling, five UPP lawmakers were stripped of their seats in the 300-member National Assembly.

One presidential official, requesting anonymity, welcomed the court decision, saying, "Defending constitutional value is the basic principle of democracy. It's right to break up the party that undermines that."

He said the historic ruling will help South Korea enjoy a mature democracy.

Meanwhile, North Korea denounced the South Korean court decision.

"The forcible disbandment of the legitimate political party ... is a crime against humanity and a hideous and crucial case that blatantly challenges human civilization and universal human rights," the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea, a North Korean party organization that handles inter-Korean affairs, said in a statement.

brk@yna.co.kr
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