ID :
23535
Thu, 10/09/2008 - 17:41
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/23535
The shortlink copeid
Ruling party calls for bipartisan meeting on economy
By Shin Hae-in
SEOUL, Oct. 9 (Yonhap) -- The ruling party on Thursday proposed an emergency meeting among political leaders to discuss non-partisan measures to fight economic turmoil. The opposition, however, remained lukewarm.
South Korea's currency market has been jolted by a dollar shortage as banks and
companies rush to the safer greenback on concerns over the Wall Street financial
crisis.
While many experts here say that Asia's fourth-largest economy may face
challenges similar to those of 1997-98 financial meltdown, the government and
ruling party have called such concerns "exaggerated."
"I declare an end to political warfare and request a meeting with all opposition
party chairmen," Rep. Park Hee-tae said ahead of his 100th day as the chairman of
the ruling Grand National Party (GNP). "All political forces must join hands to
overcome the ongoing financial crisis and revitalize the slowing economy."
"Even if we fail to come up with specific measures, won't the public feel assured
by our efforts to put behind partisan interests and cooperate for the sake of the
country?"
The main opposition Democratic Party accused its rival of being a "hypocrite."
"We cannot help but think the governing party is trying to avoid taking
responsibility for the economic crisis through such a transparently shallow
proposal," party spokesman Choi Jae-sung told reporters. "If the (GNP) truly
hopes to end partisan strife, it should first reveal specifically what it is
willing to do."
The conservative GNP holds an absolute majority of 172 seats in the 299-member
unicameral legislature. It has called for cooperation to settle several
economy-related bills, including the ratification of a Seoul-Washington free
trade deal and property tax cut.
Most of the measures have triggered strong objections from opponents, who accuse
the administration of orchestrating policies that cater solely to the country's
privileged classes.
Although the economy has topped the national agenda since President Lee Myung-bak
took office in February, South Korea has been struggling through a deep slump,
spawning public distrust of the conservative government.
SEOUL, Oct. 9 (Yonhap) -- The ruling party on Thursday proposed an emergency meeting among political leaders to discuss non-partisan measures to fight economic turmoil. The opposition, however, remained lukewarm.
South Korea's currency market has been jolted by a dollar shortage as banks and
companies rush to the safer greenback on concerns over the Wall Street financial
crisis.
While many experts here say that Asia's fourth-largest economy may face
challenges similar to those of 1997-98 financial meltdown, the government and
ruling party have called such concerns "exaggerated."
"I declare an end to political warfare and request a meeting with all opposition
party chairmen," Rep. Park Hee-tae said ahead of his 100th day as the chairman of
the ruling Grand National Party (GNP). "All political forces must join hands to
overcome the ongoing financial crisis and revitalize the slowing economy."
"Even if we fail to come up with specific measures, won't the public feel assured
by our efforts to put behind partisan interests and cooperate for the sake of the
country?"
The main opposition Democratic Party accused its rival of being a "hypocrite."
"We cannot help but think the governing party is trying to avoid taking
responsibility for the economic crisis through such a transparently shallow
proposal," party spokesman Choi Jae-sung told reporters. "If the (GNP) truly
hopes to end partisan strife, it should first reveal specifically what it is
willing to do."
The conservative GNP holds an absolute majority of 172 seats in the 299-member
unicameral legislature. It has called for cooperation to settle several
economy-related bills, including the ratification of a Seoul-Washington free
trade deal and property tax cut.
Most of the measures have triggered strong objections from opponents, who accuse
the administration of orchestrating policies that cater solely to the country's
privileged classes.
Although the economy has topped the national agenda since President Lee Myung-bak
took office in February, South Korea has been struggling through a deep slump,
spawning public distrust of the conservative government.
