Sejong Plan, Court Rulings to Dominate Session
The governing and opposition parties are expected to clash over the revision of an administrative city construction project and reform of the judiciary during a National Assembly session that starts today.
In particular, they will endeavor to boost their public approval ratings ahead of the local elections scheduled for June 2, analysts said Sunday.
Prospects of the passage of the revision remain uncertain as lawmakers of the Pro-Park Geun-hye faction of the governing Grand National Party (GNP) as well as opposition parties have opposed it.
The revision calls for building a business-friendly city in South Cheongcheong Province, in a reversal of a previous plan to build an administrative town to house nine ministries and four government agencies there.
The main opposition Democratic party (DP) says it is considering allying with other parties to seek a parliamentary motion to dismiss Prime Minister Chung Un-chan for changing the plans.
The Cabinet is expected to submit the revision to the Assembly late this month at the earliest.
Also expected to be included in the agenda is an overhaul of the nation's judiciary system as the ruling camp has been incensed by controversial rulings in politically sensitive cases.
NP floor leader Ahn Sang-soo said his party will concentrate on broadening public support for the Sejong revision and other reform plans during the month-long parliamentary session.
Emphasis will also be placed on working on measures to create jobs, he said.
Ahn said the GNP will deal with bills to revive local economies, improve the people's standard of living and boost the nation's competitiveness in the international market.
DP floor leader Lee Kang-rae, on the other hand, called for an end to the debate on the Sejong plan.
He said the DP, in collaboration with other opposition parties, plans to submit a parliamentary motion to dismiss Prime Minister Chung Un-chan for overhauling the administrative town relocation project.