[EDITORIALS]Uri Party thinks only of itself
Published: 14 Oct. 2004, 22:05
A bill to replace the National Security Law on Tuesday, a bill to allow state investigations into traitorous activities in the past on Wednesday and the new private educational institutions bill on Thursday....
The governing Uri Party is releasing new bills each day. The party is calling these three bills and a media bill the “four reform bills.” The opposition Grand National Party is calling them the “four evil bills.”
The Uri Party has the right to set up its political strategies the way it wants. Some essential officials of the ruling party are practically betting their political fates on the four bills.
But before they attempt to push the bills through, they have to think carefully as to whether the bills actually were created with the nation’s interests in mind. They have to consider whether the bills help the people earn a decent living and develop the nation.
The livelihood of the people is being battered. There was a report that showed the nation’s competitiveness is deteriorating sharply. International oil prices are hitting a new record high.
But the Uri Party is laying these issues aside. It is only enthusiastic about pushing the four bills. The party officials seem to think that everything would be all right only if the National Security Law is abolished and the past of the former elite is uncovered. They seem to think it would be all right even if the nation’s economy collapsed.
Of course, officials of the governing party repeatedly say that they are concerned both about the “economy” and “reform.” But actually, they are doing nothing to help the economy.
We are curious about how they can keep such a one-track policy, if they are really concerned about the nation’s economy. Only two weeks ago, some governing party lawmakers said that during their Chuseok holiday visit to their hometowns, people wanted the government to stabilize their livelihood first. But these lawmakers are now silent.
There’s the right time for everything. Even a good thing can be bad, if it is not timely. Even if the laws are necessary, there are proper times for them. The party should have made efforts to negotiate with the opposition party in advance, knowing that there would be conflicts of views on the bills.
But without any such efforts, the party continues to propose new bills. As a result, political unrest is growing, and its negative effect will burden the people.
The governing Uri Party is releasing new bills each day. The party is calling these three bills and a media bill the “four reform bills.” The opposition Grand National Party is calling them the “four evil bills.”
The Uri Party has the right to set up its political strategies the way it wants. Some essential officials of the ruling party are practically betting their political fates on the four bills.
But before they attempt to push the bills through, they have to think carefully as to whether the bills actually were created with the nation’s interests in mind. They have to consider whether the bills help the people earn a decent living and develop the nation.
The livelihood of the people is being battered. There was a report that showed the nation’s competitiveness is deteriorating sharply. International oil prices are hitting a new record high.
But the Uri Party is laying these issues aside. It is only enthusiastic about pushing the four bills. The party officials seem to think that everything would be all right only if the National Security Law is abolished and the past of the former elite is uncovered. They seem to think it would be all right even if the nation’s economy collapsed.
Of course, officials of the governing party repeatedly say that they are concerned both about the “economy” and “reform.” But actually, they are doing nothing to help the economy.
We are curious about how they can keep such a one-track policy, if they are really concerned about the nation’s economy. Only two weeks ago, some governing party lawmakers said that during their Chuseok holiday visit to their hometowns, people wanted the government to stabilize their livelihood first. But these lawmakers are now silent.
There’s the right time for everything. Even a good thing can be bad, if it is not timely. Even if the laws are necessary, there are proper times for them. The party should have made efforts to negotiate with the opposition party in advance, knowing that there would be conflicts of views on the bills.
But without any such efforts, the party continues to propose new bills. As a result, political unrest is growing, and its negative effect will burden the people.
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
To write comments, please log in to one of the accounts.
Standards Board Policy (0/250자)