Parties on collision course after budget`s passage

SEOUL, Dec. 16 (Yonhap) -- The National Assembly lapsed into a deadlock Tuesday as the largest opposition party boycotted the session, demanding an official apology from the Assembly head and its rival party for passing next year's budget in its absence.
The parliament convened a one-month special session on Dec. 10, with parties
vowing to set aside differences and promptly settle hundreds of pending bills
related to the public livelihood.
But the two rivals again collided as the ruling Grand National Party (GNP) used
its numerical dominance in the parliament to pass the 2009 budget over the
weekend, despite a boycott and objections from the opposing Democratic Party
(DP).
The ruling party, controlling 172 seats in the 299-member unicameral house, said
the government was running out of time to execute the budget, which it emphasized
is necessary for creating jobs and steering South Korea's export-driven economy
through the global financial crisis. Its rival demanded more time in mapping out
support measures for low-income households.
"We will not attend any sessions until Assembly Speaker Kim Hyong-o formally
apologizes for allowing the ruling party to abuse its majority and the budget
committee head steps down," DP Chairman Chung Sye-kyun told reporters Tuesday.
"We will use physical force if necessary to stop unilateral legislation by the
ruling party."
Four parliamentary standing committees failed to open in the absence of DP
lawmakers Tuesday. The party holds 83 seats.
The ruling GNP said it will push key bills through despite the opposition's
resistance. The party's floor leader asked members on Monday not to leave the
country before the extra parliamentary session ends on Jan. 8 to ensure they are
on hand for votes.
"Committee chairmen and members must be prepared to push through the bills with
or without the opposition's cooperation," GNP whip Hong Joon-pyo said in a party
meeting.
Liberal opposition parties have notably challenged government proposals on
cutting corporate and real estate taxes and easing industrial regulations in
Seoul and adjacent regions. The are also against removing restrictions on
investments by large firms and allowing cross-media ownership.
The ruling party's move to ratify a free trade pact with the United States before
the year's end has drawn especially heated resistance, along with motions that
would amplify Seoul's criticism of human rights conditions in North Korea.
hayney@yna.co.kr
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