parliament paralysis-partisan talks

SEOUL, Dec. 30 (Yonhap) -- Partisan negotiations to resolve a month-long parliamentary deadlock and pass pending bills before the year's end ruptured Tuesday as rival parties failed to reach a compromise to ratify a free trade agreement (FTA) with Washington and media ownership deregulation.

The ruling Grand National Party (GNP), controlling 172 seats in the 299-member
National Assembly, said it will unilaterally vote on about 80 bills Wednesday,
signaling an intense physical collision with its main opponent that has been
occupying the parliament's main chamber.
After a violent brawl that made headlines inside and outside the country last
week, party leaders met for the second consecutive day on Tuesday to bridge their
divide and settle emergent bills aimed at propping up the slowing economy.
National Assembly Speaker Kim Hyong-o had issued an ultimatum Monday, vowing to
use his authority to clear opposition legislators from the parliament's main
chamber and put emergent bills to vote unless parties voluntarily reached an
agreement.
hayney@yna.co.kr