ID :
38214
Wed, 12/31/2008 - 08:48
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/38214
The shortlink copeid
Security guards blockade parliament, prepare to force out opposition legislators
SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- Tensions were mounting at the South Korean parliament
Wednesday, as security guards prepared to force out opposition lawmakers who have
been occupying the legislature's main chamber in protest against government-led
bills.
National Assembly Speaker Kim Hyong-o had invoked his authority late Tuesday,
mobilizing security officials to break a six-day sit-in by opposition legislators
as partisan negotiations over pending bills broke down. He ordered the main hall
be cleared and readied to put emergent bills to vote.
Dozens of lawmakers from the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) stayed up all
night at the Assembly, conducting a drill to stop law enforcement authorities and
rival legislators from entering the chamber. They plan to form a "human chain"
around the parliamentary speaker's podium to stop him from opening a vote.
"We have no other means of stopping the legislation of pro-conglomerates laws and
preserving democracy in the legislature," said DP whip Won Hye-young, who joined
his colleagues after talks with his counterpart ruptured.
A massive collision is anticipated between more than 100 security officials and
all 83 DP lawmakers who have been called up to guard the chamber. The ruling
Grand National Party (GNP) said it doesn't plan to put up a "direct fight" with
its largest opponent and will enter the parliament only after it has been
cleared.
The liberal DP is seeking to prevent President Lee Myung-bak's conservative party
from passing a US$30 billion trade pact with the United States and other
market-oriented bills, including media ownership deregulation. The party says
South Korea should wait until the U.S. Congress approves the free trade agreement
before voting on the legislation.
Occupying the main chamber is the party's desperate attempt to stop its ruling
rival, which controls 172 seats in the 299-member unicameral house, from passing
the bills unilaterally. The DP holds 83 seats.
The two-day negotiations between rival parties came after a violent brawl --
during which legislators hammered down committee room doors and sprayed fire
extinguishers -- that made headlines inside and outside the country last week.
GNP floor leader Hong Joon-pyo said his party had made "enough concessions," and
vowed to settle 85 "key bills" the party selected before the end of this year.
The occupation of the parliament has been threatening to deepen the paralysis of
South Korea's economy, which is on the verge of its first recession in a decade.
Dozens of crucial economic rescue plans have been held hostage amid the partisan
warfare.
Of the more than 2,600 bills that have been introduced to the legislature since
it convened in May, fewer than 300 have been voted on so far. Some 300 will be
automatically discarded at the end of 2008.
hayney@yna.co.kr
(END)
Wednesday, as security guards prepared to force out opposition lawmakers who have
been occupying the legislature's main chamber in protest against government-led
bills.
National Assembly Speaker Kim Hyong-o had invoked his authority late Tuesday,
mobilizing security officials to break a six-day sit-in by opposition legislators
as partisan negotiations over pending bills broke down. He ordered the main hall
be cleared and readied to put emergent bills to vote.
Dozens of lawmakers from the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) stayed up all
night at the Assembly, conducting a drill to stop law enforcement authorities and
rival legislators from entering the chamber. They plan to form a "human chain"
around the parliamentary speaker's podium to stop him from opening a vote.
"We have no other means of stopping the legislation of pro-conglomerates laws and
preserving democracy in the legislature," said DP whip Won Hye-young, who joined
his colleagues after talks with his counterpart ruptured.
A massive collision is anticipated between more than 100 security officials and
all 83 DP lawmakers who have been called up to guard the chamber. The ruling
Grand National Party (GNP) said it doesn't plan to put up a "direct fight" with
its largest opponent and will enter the parliament only after it has been
cleared.
The liberal DP is seeking to prevent President Lee Myung-bak's conservative party
from passing a US$30 billion trade pact with the United States and other
market-oriented bills, including media ownership deregulation. The party says
South Korea should wait until the U.S. Congress approves the free trade agreement
before voting on the legislation.
Occupying the main chamber is the party's desperate attempt to stop its ruling
rival, which controls 172 seats in the 299-member unicameral house, from passing
the bills unilaterally. The DP holds 83 seats.
The two-day negotiations between rival parties came after a violent brawl --
during which legislators hammered down committee room doors and sprayed fire
extinguishers -- that made headlines inside and outside the country last week.
GNP floor leader Hong Joon-pyo said his party had made "enough concessions," and
vowed to settle 85 "key bills" the party selected before the end of this year.
The occupation of the parliament has been threatening to deepen the paralysis of
South Korea's economy, which is on the verge of its first recession in a decade.
Dozens of crucial economic rescue plans have been held hostage amid the partisan
warfare.
Of the more than 2,600 bills that have been introduced to the legislature since
it convened in May, fewer than 300 have been voted on so far. Some 300 will be
automatically discarded at the end of 2008.
hayney@yna.co.kr
(END)
