By Kang Hyun-kyung
Staff Reporter
No one denies that National Assembly Speaker Kim Hyong-o played a pivotal role in bringing the largest opposition Democratic Party (DP) back to the inter-party talks resulting in the hard-won agreement on disputed bills.
Kim's announcement last week that he would not invoke his right to table the contentious bills motivated DP leaders to end their 20-day sit-in protest inside the Assembly building.
DP floor leader Won Hye-young sat down with his governing Grand National Party (GNP) counterpart, Hong Joon-pyo, at the talks, after Kim pledged to respect the DP's demands.
Following the agreement on disputed bills, Speaker Kim was quoted as saying that ``democracy is indeed difficult to achieve'' with a sigh of relief.
GNP lawmakers, however, gave Kim, who was regarded as a contributor in producing the accord, the cold shoulder.
Party spokesman Rep. Cha Myeong-jin offered to resign Wednesday, expressing regret that the Speaker had not fulfilled his role.
``We expected him to play a role in the negotiations. But he remained neutral, repeating that we should reach an agreement with the DP,'' said Cha.
Before assuming the speaker's post, Kim had extensive leadership experience with the GNP.
GNP lawmakers backed him with broad support when he was running in the election to select the speaker and vice speakers.
They naturally expected Kim to play a proactive role in pushing for the bills, but Kim declined to take on the mission.
Cha indirectly blamed GNP leaders, including floor leader Hong Joon-pyo, arguing that they declared a war to push the legislation but didn't fulfill their commitments.
``In the negotiations, GNP leaders gave in and even compromised with the ``unlawful,'' (referring to the DP). They signed a capitulation document through which they agreed on passing bills only when the violent minority says yes,'' he said.
With the mounting pressure, floor leader Hong faced a tough test as a group of junior GNP lawmakers expressed discontent with his leadership.
They claimed Hong made too many concessions and should take responsibility.
Earlier, the hardliners also called on Speaker Kim to step down.
GNP leaders have not responded to the call.
Instead, they expressed worries over the negative fallout of scuffles in the Assembly on brand Korea, determining they would bring those who were responsible for the violent clashes to justice.
The scuffles and chaos in the legislature went global, as media all across the globe aired the scenes, dealing a blow to Korea, GNP spokeswoman Cho Yoon-sun quoted GNP leaders as saying.
``The nation loses out because of the delayed legislation schedule, but a more serious impact was made on the national brand,'' Cho told reporters.
Global media such as BBC and CNN televised lawmakers using sledgehammers to batter their way into conference rooms last December and their scuffles with Assembly security personnel.
Speaking at a meeting with security personnel Wednesday, Speaker Kim made clear that he would stand firmly against the use of violence in the legislature.
``If needed, a revision of rules and/or legislation will be considered,'' said the Speaker.