Parties’ 7-point accord decries inaction

Ruling and opposition party leaders yesterday squared off over naming a second independent counsel to continue investigating allegations that cash was paid to North Korea to secure the 2000 summit.
The two major-party chairmen, Choe Byung-yul, of the opposition Grand National Party, and Chyung Dai-chul of the Millennium Democratic Party, released a seven-point agreement after their meeting, but their opinions over sensitive sticking points were still divided.
The meeting lasted 40 minutes. National Assembly speaker Park Kwan-yong also joined in. The three deplored the seriousness of issues surrounding the nation’s security and economy. They urged Seoul to crack down on looming strikes and slackened discipline in society. “They agreed that Korea was on the brink of crisis because the Doosan Heavy Industry disputes were handled improperly,” said Park Jong-hee, Grand National spokesman.
They agreed to vote on bills related to Koreans’ livelihood as soon as possible. They also decided to form a Special Committee on Budget and Accounts to handle the supplementary budget bill. Until now, lawmakers were confronting each other about which party should head the committee. “GNP Chairman Choe proposed that the heads of the budget and accounts committee and the subcommittee of budget bill adjustment be divided between the parties, and MDP Chairman Chyung agreed,” said Moon Seok-ho, Millennium Democratic Party spokesman.
The leaders clearly differed on meeting with President Roh. “Let’s meet with him,” Mr. Chyung was quoted as urging Mr. Choe, proposing a three-way meeting with Mr. Roh. Mr. Choe rejected the offer. “That will happen only after I meet with the president one-on-one,” he reportedly said.
The issue of naming another independent counsel to investigate the cash-for-summit allegations involving the previous administration highlighted the parties’ opposed views.

by Ko Jung-ae