National Assembly to open extra session to pass bills

SEOUL, Jan. 9 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's National Assembly, paralyzed for weeks by
opposition protests, plans to open an extraordinary session Friday to pass scores
of non-contentious bills aimed at boosting the country's ailing economy.
Lawmakers are expected to pass some 40 state budget laws and a number of minor
social welfare bills during the five-day session. Committees are scheduled to
convene during the day to present their respective bills.
Thursday marked the end of a previous extraordinary session marred by violent
scuffles and a sit-in by opposition parties of the main parliamentary chamber in
protest against voting on proposed deregulation reforms and a U.S. free trade
bill.
Earlier this week, parties agreed to vote on the free trade accord as soon as
possible after U.S. President-elect Barack Obama takes office, as well as on a
number of key bills regarding bank ownership and other reform measures during
another extraordinary session slated for February.
President Lee Myung-bak and his Grand National Party are pushing for quick
ratification of the FTA and other reform measures that they say will help steer
the export-driven economy through the global financial crisis. Reforms include
sweeping tax cuts, easing bank ownership regulations and privatizing state-run
firms.
odissy@yna.co.kr
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