ID :
37564
Fri, 12/26/2008 - 20:58
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/37564
The shortlink copeid
Prosecutors start probe into lawmakers' clash By Kim Boram
SEOUL, Dec. 26 (Yonhap) -- Prosecutors began a probe on Friday into lawmakers and aides accused of violently colliding in parliament over a South Korea-U.S. free trade agreement (FTA).
"The Secretariat of the National Assembly sued seven people for contempt of the
head of parliament. We have started the investigation," an official of the Seoul
Southern District Prosecutors' Office said.
Last Thursday, members of the ruling Grand National Party (GNP) barricaded
themselves into a subcommittee room and unilaterally tried to put the
controversial FTA on parliament's agenda, aiming to pass it this year. The main
opposition Democratic Party (DP) and other parties have adamantly opposed the
pact.
Opposition lawmakers and their aides tried to force the wooden door open with
hammers and levers, while security officers blasted fire extinguishers and water
to repel them.
Seoul and Washington signed their bilateral trade accord in June last year,
removing most tariff and non-tariff barriers for goods and services. The treaty
is controversial because of thorny issues in market openings, particularly in the
auto and agricultural sectors.
The DP argues that the trade deal should not be ratified until the government
comes up with better measures to protect farmers, while the ruling GNP says the
pact should be approved as early as possible to pressure the U.S. Congress to
ratify it.
In addition to the prosecution's complaints, the secretariat said Wednesday it
will install surveillance cameras in committee rooms and outside the Assembly
building, as well as replace wooden doors with iron doors.
The office also requested that police identify fingerprints on the doors of the
main plenary hall, which opposition politicians occupied from early Friday
morning to block another unilateral vote on contested bills by the GNP.
Meanwhile, police said that they have started another probe into a threat by a
man who identified himself as a teacher over the phone. "I'm angry with the
lawmakers who are fighting each other every day," the man said. "I will blow up
the National Assembly if they don't behave."
They searched the Assembly, but did not find any explosive material, police said.
brk@yna.co.kr
(END)
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"The Secretariat of the National Assembly sued seven people for contempt of the
head of parliament. We have started the investigation," an official of the Seoul
Southern District Prosecutors' Office said.
Last Thursday, members of the ruling Grand National Party (GNP) barricaded
themselves into a subcommittee room and unilaterally tried to put the
controversial FTA on parliament's agenda, aiming to pass it this year. The main
opposition Democratic Party (DP) and other parties have adamantly opposed the
pact.
Opposition lawmakers and their aides tried to force the wooden door open with
hammers and levers, while security officers blasted fire extinguishers and water
to repel them.
Seoul and Washington signed their bilateral trade accord in June last year,
removing most tariff and non-tariff barriers for goods and services. The treaty
is controversial because of thorny issues in market openings, particularly in the
auto and agricultural sectors.
The DP argues that the trade deal should not be ratified until the government
comes up with better measures to protect farmers, while the ruling GNP says the
pact should be approved as early as possible to pressure the U.S. Congress to
ratify it.
In addition to the prosecution's complaints, the secretariat said Wednesday it
will install surveillance cameras in committee rooms and outside the Assembly
building, as well as replace wooden doors with iron doors.
The office also requested that police identify fingerprints on the doors of the
main plenary hall, which opposition politicians occupied from early Friday
morning to block another unilateral vote on contested bills by the GNP.
Meanwhile, police said that they have started another probe into a threat by a
man who identified himself as a teacher over the phone. "I'm angry with the
lawmakers who are fighting each other every day," the man said. "I will blow up
the National Assembly if they don't behave."
They searched the Assembly, but did not find any explosive material, police said.
brk@yna.co.kr
(END)
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