[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Min-young] On the 30th, after the National People's Congress (NPC) of China passed the Hong Kong National Security Law (Hong Kong Security Law), three democratic organizations in Hong Kong declared their immediate disbandment.
The Hong Kong Security Law prohibits and punishes collusion with foreign forces, acts of secession, subversion of state power, terrorism, and establishes institutions within Hong Kong to enforce these provisions.
According to Hong Kong Ming Pao and others on the day, the Demosist? Party declared its immediate disbandment. In a statement, the Demosist? Party said, "It has become difficult to continue operating the party, so we have decided to disband and have informed our members," adding, "Members will continue resistance individually in more flexible ways."
Formed in 2016 to carry on the spirit of the 2014 Umbrella Movement, the Demosist? Party had been expected to become a target of the Hong Kong Security Law due to its activities appealing for international solidarity during last year's anti-extradition bill protests.
The Hong Kong National Front, an organization advocating Hong Kong independence, also announced via Facebook on the same day that it would disband its Hong Kong headquarters and dissolve all members. However, its Taipei branch in Taiwan and UK branch plan to continue their activities.
Student Mobilization, which led student protests during last year's anti-extradition bill demonstrations, also announced on the same day that it would disband its Hong Kong headquarters and continue activities overseas.
Earlier, Joshua Wong, one of the leading figures in Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement, posted on Facebook in the morning expressing his intention to withdraw from the Demosist? Party, where he served as secretary-general.
Agnes Chow, a Demosist? Party member and one of the key figures in the Umbrella Movement alongside Joshua Wong, also announced her intention to leave the party, and former chairman Nathan Law declared that he would continue resistance as an individual after leaving the party.
Following the successive withdrawal announcements by core members such as Joshua Wong, the party's very existence was shaken, leading to the disbandment declaration. Joshua Wong and Nathan Law plan to run in the Legislative Council elections scheduled for September.
Wayne Chan, founder of the Hong Kong Independence Alliance, fled overseas to avoid the Hong Kong Security Law, and scholar Chin Wan, who advocated for "Hong Kong autonomy," declared he would cease social activism.
Former Chief Secretary for Administration, Anson Chan, who actively participated in protests demanding direct elections for the Chief Executive and was called the "conscience of Hong Kong," announced his retirement from politics on the 26th.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
