Parties Near Accord on Normalizing Assembly
By Kim Sue-young
Staff Reporter
Political parties were in near accord on the opening of the paralyzed National Assembly following reports that the government reached an agreement with Washington over a ban on exports of U.S. beef from cattle aged 30 months or older.
Rep. Hong Joon-pyo, floor leader of the governing Grand National Party (GNP), and his counterpart Won Hye-young of the largest opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) also shared the same view that they should open the Assembly soon, party officials said.
To put the legislature back on track, chief representatives from both parties have fine-tuned their differences.
The two floor leaders will meet as early as next week to discuss details including whether or not to approve the revision on preventative measures of livestock disease, according to the sources.
The UDP has boycotted the Assembly since May 30, insisting that the passage of the revision, considered a substantial call for renegotiation of American beef imports, is the precondition for its members to appear at the Assembly.
The party has no reason to refuse to attend parliament as President Lee Myung-bak apologized for failing to meet public safety concern over the beef Thursday and meat of older cattle will be banned through the additional talks, analysts said.
The ruling party is also prodding UDP members to end their boycotting of the Assembly to deal with pending bread-and-butter issues.
``I think the National Assembly will be back on track by next week. I have talked about why the Assembly should be normalized and my party members will make an effort to mend laws and policies to reinvigorate the economy,'' Hong said.
The main opposition party plans to gather opinion of its members through a general meeting of its lawmakers next Monday to decide when to attend the Assembly.
The UDP floor leader is positive on normalizing the legislature, saying ``I think we can attend the Assembly next week or in two weeks time. I suggested to Hong that we should find solutions together if the results of the additional talks do not satisfy the people.''
The results reached between Trade Minister Kim Jong-hoon and his U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab will be announced Saturday.
However, some lawmakers of the opposition party still insisted on boycotting the Assembly, discounting the President's apology and promise to ban shipment of beef from older cattle.
``The government has to announce `renegotiation' over the beef deal or the GNP has to agree to approve the revision on livestock diseases. Then, we will enter the Assembly,'' said Rep. Choi In-kee, chief policy maker of the UDP.
Some pointed out it is too early to decide whether or not to cease boycotting parliament because they have yet to know what the two trade ministers agreed on.