By Kang Hyun-kyung
Staff Reporter
Hardliners in the largest opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) gained the upper hand after the government pushed through the resumption of American beef imports by putting the import protocol into effect Thursday.
Rep. Choo Mi-ae, who is running in the UDP leadership contest slated for July 6, told a radio program that she disagrees with the view that the party needed to collaborate with the governing Grand National Party (GNP) to inaugurate the National Assembly.
``Given the current situation, the ruling GNP does not consider the UDP a partner in the legislature, so I think that it is going to be hard for us to achieve what we want in the Assembly as long as our voices are not heard,'' she said.
Choo is vying for the party leadership along with Rep. Chung Sye-kyun, a former minister of industry and resources under the Roh Moo-hyun administration. Her rival Chung has not made any comments on the matter so far.
According to polls, Chung is leading the race by double digits.
Despite protests from opposition parties, the government pushed through the publication of import health requirements for American beef and beef products in its gazette, a necessary step to allow the products into the Korean market.
The government decision has had a considerable impact on the internal politics of the UDP regarding the inauguration of the Assembly whose four-year term started on May 30 ― the opposition party continues to lead a boycott.
Last week, several UDP leaders were seriously considering normalizing the Assembly.
The opposition party leaders refused to collaborate with the GNP when the anti-U.S. beef rallies were in full swing. But they felt pressure over criticism tht it was playing politicsat the expense of the livelihoods of working-class families by boycotting the parliamentary session where bills closely related to bread and butter issues await Assembly action.
Former President Kim Dae-jung advised UDP leader Sohn Hak-kyu to fight against the government as well as the ruling party in the Assembly after making parliament active.
The political landscape suddenly changed this week after the government pushed through the publication of the import health requirements earlier than expected.
UDP floor leader Won Hye-young called the posting of resumption of American beef imports in the state gazette an act of giving up sovereignty.