I am an editorial writer at The Korea Times, focusing on foreign policy, North Korea and domestic politics. My key areas of interest include North Korea, foreign interference in elections, election integrity, cyberattacks and human rights. Prior to joining the Editorial Board, I served as both Politics Desk editor and Culture Desk editor. During my career, I have reported on the Presidential Office under the Lee Myung-bak administration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Assembly.
Korea-EU FTA voted down
By Kang Hyun-kyung
A parliamentary sub-committee failed to pass a Korea-European Union trade pact, Friday, after a war of words between ruling and opposition party lawmakers created chaos.
Under the current law, the sub-committee’s decision should be respected at a full committee level meeting, but the latter can reverse a decision by the former, which is the case for the Korea-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
If the trade pact is not ratified at the National Assembly by this month, it will not take effect from July 1, as Korea and the EU have agreed on.
If this happens, the two sides must meet again to set another date from which the FTA will take effect.
The sub-committee meeting became chaotic after Rep. Yoo Ki-june of the ruling Grand National Party (GNP), who chaired the committee, attempted to bang the gavel signaling the FTA had been passed.
Rep. Kim Dong-cheol of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) prevented Yoo from doing so.
“The motion was passed at the sub-committee,” said Yoo.
But Kim countered, saying “No, it wasn’t. We didn’t even discuss it.” Kim seized the gavel held by Yoo.
The GNP lawmaker asked those who wanted to give the green light to the trade pact to stand up, but only three of the committee’s six members did so. To pass the FTA at the sub-committee, four lawmakers must vote for it.
Trade Minister Kim Jong-hoon also exchanged sharp words with Rep. Kang Ki-gab of the minor opposition Democratic Labor Party. The minister shot at the lawmaker to “talk after studying the bill more.” Kang blasted Kim for “ignoring parliament.”
The GNP and DP agreed to meet again next Tuesday to put the FTA to a vote at the committee. If the lawmakers approve it, the deal will be sent to the Judiciary Committee for a last-minute check on legal affairs before forwarding it to a plenary session.
If lawmakers ratify the motion at the session no later than April 30, the Korea-EU FTA can take effect from July 1. There are 11 other laws that need to be revised in accordance with the trade pact, which must be approved no later than June 30.