ID :
37291
Thu, 12/25/2008 - 10:10
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/37291
The shortlink copeid
Assembly impasse to continue through Christmas
SEOUL, Dec. 24 (Yonhap) -- The National Assembly fell into deeper deadlock
Wednesday ahead of a bleak holiday season as rival parties failed to overcome
lingering animosity after their earlier brawl over a free trade pact with
Washington.
With less than a week left in the year, hundreds of bills intended to boost the
country's economy have been sitting idle from partisan feud.
The largest opposition Democratic Party (DP) has been boycotting the parliament
and occupying the Assembly speaker's office for a week, demanding nullification
of a unilateral vote by the ruling Grand National Party (GNP) that introduced the
Korea-U.S. free trade agreement (FTA) to the legislature.
Of more than 2,600 bills, less than 300 have been voted on so far. Some 300 will
be automatically discarded at the end of 2008.
"Dear colleagues in the opposition party, you must leave my office at once and
cooperate in ending the deadlock that has been further depressing the people amid
the economic difficulties," Assembly Speaker Kim Hyong-o said in a statement. "Do
not make me lead the legislature without you."
Kim has been trying to mediate talks between rival parties before Christmas, but
the main opposition has spurned the move, accusing him of siding with the ruling
party.
"Do not set a date on this matter," DP Chairman Chung Sye-kyun said. "We will
only begin to talk after the ruling party gives up on bills serving the rich and
the privileged."
The GNP last week selected 112 bills which it says need urgent approval, but its
opponent says they are not imperative.
Opposition parties demand the GNP give up attempts to immediately approve the
Korea-U.S. FTA, and also oppose bills on cutting taxes, easing industrial
regulations in metropolitan regions, scrapping restrictions on investments by
large firms, and allowing cross-media ownership.
The conservative ruling party said it will be "forced to use its numerical
dominance" in the parliament if DP persists with the boycott.
"We will keep up the effort to make compromises, but cannot wait forever," said
GNP leader Park Hee-tae. "Decision by majority is a democratic principle. We may
be forced to make an ultimate decision."
Park's party controls 172 seats in the 298-member unicameral house, while DP
holds 83.
hayney@yna.co.kr
(END)
Wednesday ahead of a bleak holiday season as rival parties failed to overcome
lingering animosity after their earlier brawl over a free trade pact with
Washington.
With less than a week left in the year, hundreds of bills intended to boost the
country's economy have been sitting idle from partisan feud.
The largest opposition Democratic Party (DP) has been boycotting the parliament
and occupying the Assembly speaker's office for a week, demanding nullification
of a unilateral vote by the ruling Grand National Party (GNP) that introduced the
Korea-U.S. free trade agreement (FTA) to the legislature.
Of more than 2,600 bills, less than 300 have been voted on so far. Some 300 will
be automatically discarded at the end of 2008.
"Dear colleagues in the opposition party, you must leave my office at once and
cooperate in ending the deadlock that has been further depressing the people amid
the economic difficulties," Assembly Speaker Kim Hyong-o said in a statement. "Do
not make me lead the legislature without you."
Kim has been trying to mediate talks between rival parties before Christmas, but
the main opposition has spurned the move, accusing him of siding with the ruling
party.
"Do not set a date on this matter," DP Chairman Chung Sye-kyun said. "We will
only begin to talk after the ruling party gives up on bills serving the rich and
the privileged."
The GNP last week selected 112 bills which it says need urgent approval, but its
opponent says they are not imperative.
Opposition parties demand the GNP give up attempts to immediately approve the
Korea-U.S. FTA, and also oppose bills on cutting taxes, easing industrial
regulations in metropolitan regions, scrapping restrictions on investments by
large firms, and allowing cross-media ownership.
The conservative ruling party said it will be "forced to use its numerical
dominance" in the parliament if DP persists with the boycott.
"We will keep up the effort to make compromises, but cannot wait forever," said
GNP leader Park Hee-tae. "Decision by majority is a democratic principle. We may
be forced to make an ultimate decision."
Park's party controls 172 seats in the 298-member unicameral house, while DP
holds 83.
hayney@yna.co.kr
(END)
