Democrats end Assembly boycott
Published: 28 Aug. 2009, 07:34
Ending its more than month-long boycott, the Democratic Party said yesterday that its lawmakers will return to the National Assembly, normalizing legislative activities starting next month.
Democratic Party Chairman Chung Sye-kyun declared at a media conference yesterday morning that its lawmakers will return to the Assembly in order to resolve the country’s stalled legislative operations.
Opposition party lawmakers have snubbed legislative sessions since the ruling Grand National Party rammed contentious media industry reform bills on July 22 through the legislature. They also handed resignations en masse to Chung and participated in street protests to oppose the media reform measures.
After 37 days of protests, the Democrats’ leader said yesterday that they will return to the legislature, but vowed to continue fighting against the administration and the ruling party over the media reforms inside and outside the legislature.
Noting that the party will uphold the dying wishes of two recently deceased liberal presidents, Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun, Chung said its lawmakers will try to overcome crises in democracy, economy and inter-Korean relations.
According to the Democratic Party, Chung will hold onto the lawmakers’ resignations while the legislative sessions proceed. Chung, who submitted his resignation letter to National Assembly Speaker Kim Hyung-o, will lead the party’s protests outside the legislative chamber.
The Grand National Party welcomed the Democrats’ decision. “I have seen reports that the Democrats will resume legislative activities unconditionally,” said GNP Chairman Park Hee-tae. “It is belated, but fortunate. I hope the ruling and opposition parties can meet as soon as possible to discuss a legislative timetable to have productive session.”
The legislature is currently in recess and the session will resume in September. Chung said yesterday that the floor leaders of the ruling and opposition parties will soon begin discussions to create the legislative timetable for the September session, slated to begin on Tuesday.
During the 100-day session, the ruling and opposition parties will deal with next year’s budgets, close this year’s accounts and look at other pending issues. A series of audits for government offices is also scheduled to take place once the session opens.
Confirmation hearings will also occur after President Lee Myung-bak shakes up his cabinet and the Blue House secretariat next week. Lee is scheduled to appoint a new prime minister, and the Democrats are expected to intensely scrutinize the candidate to prove its political power.
Last month, the Democrats leveled corruption allegations against Chun Sung-gwan, President Lee’s designate for the post of prosecutor general, during the confirmation hearing, forcing Lee to withdraw his nomination.
The upcoming confirmation hearings will also be an important opportunity for both ruling and opposition parties to forestall each other ahead of the Oct. 28 by-elections.
President Lee’s proposals to redraw the nation’s electorate and administrative districts are also expected to be discussed as well as plans to amend the constitution to revise the country’s governing system. The Grand Nationals said they will focus on immediate tasks such as next year’s budgets.
By Ser Myo-ja [[email protected]]
Democratic Party Chairman Chung Sye-kyun declared at a media conference yesterday morning that its lawmakers will return to the Assembly in order to resolve the country’s stalled legislative operations.
Opposition party lawmakers have snubbed legislative sessions since the ruling Grand National Party rammed contentious media industry reform bills on July 22 through the legislature. They also handed resignations en masse to Chung and participated in street protests to oppose the media reform measures.
After 37 days of protests, the Democrats’ leader said yesterday that they will return to the legislature, but vowed to continue fighting against the administration and the ruling party over the media reforms inside and outside the legislature.
Noting that the party will uphold the dying wishes of two recently deceased liberal presidents, Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun, Chung said its lawmakers will try to overcome crises in democracy, economy and inter-Korean relations.
According to the Democratic Party, Chung will hold onto the lawmakers’ resignations while the legislative sessions proceed. Chung, who submitted his resignation letter to National Assembly Speaker Kim Hyung-o, will lead the party’s protests outside the legislative chamber.
The Grand National Party welcomed the Democrats’ decision. “I have seen reports that the Democrats will resume legislative activities unconditionally,” said GNP Chairman Park Hee-tae. “It is belated, but fortunate. I hope the ruling and opposition parties can meet as soon as possible to discuss a legislative timetable to have productive session.”
The legislature is currently in recess and the session will resume in September. Chung said yesterday that the floor leaders of the ruling and opposition parties will soon begin discussions to create the legislative timetable for the September session, slated to begin on Tuesday.
During the 100-day session, the ruling and opposition parties will deal with next year’s budgets, close this year’s accounts and look at other pending issues. A series of audits for government offices is also scheduled to take place once the session opens.
Confirmation hearings will also occur after President Lee Myung-bak shakes up his cabinet and the Blue House secretariat next week. Lee is scheduled to appoint a new prime minister, and the Democrats are expected to intensely scrutinize the candidate to prove its political power.
Last month, the Democrats leveled corruption allegations against Chun Sung-gwan, President Lee’s designate for the post of prosecutor general, during the confirmation hearing, forcing Lee to withdraw his nomination.
The upcoming confirmation hearings will also be an important opportunity for both ruling and opposition parties to forestall each other ahead of the Oct. 28 by-elections.
President Lee’s proposals to redraw the nation’s electorate and administrative districts are also expected to be discussed as well as plans to amend the constitution to revise the country’s governing system. The Grand Nationals said they will focus on immediate tasks such as next year’s budgets.
By Ser Myo-ja [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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