By Do Je-hae
Staff Reporter
The main opposition Democratic Party (DP) said Thursday that it will return to the National Assembly, responding to pressure from within and outside the party to end months of parliamentary boycott.
But the DP will continue to conduct a signature-collecting campaign to protest a set of media-related bills railroaded by the governing Grand National Party (GNP) in the Assembly session in July, DP Chairman Rep. Chung Sye-kyun said.
GNP Chairman Park Hee-tae welcomed the return, expressing his wish for a "a speedy bipartisan dialogue for the normalization of the legislature"
"The decision to make an unconditional return reflects our party's determination to safeguard democracy, promote people's livelihoods and inter-Korean reconciliation," Chung said.
He said floor leader Rep. Lee Kang-rae will meet with his GNP counterpart Rep. Ahn Sang-soo to discuss particulars for dealing with essential bills."
A parliamentary session will open next Tuesday to act on the government's budget proposal for next year, along with other bills.
DP leader Chung said, "It has been our principle to conduct protests within and outside the Assembly. We will continue to collect signatures from citizens nationwide who support the nullification of the bills to reshape the media industry."
Despite harsh criticism from the ruling camp and many citizens, the DP vowed a 100-day street campaign nationwide to gain support for their cause to nullify the bills.
Chung gave up his parliamentary seat in protest and most of the 84 DP lawmakers tendered their resignations to the chairman. But National Assembly Speaker Kim Hyung-o did not accept Chung's resignation.
The DP suspended its protests last week to mourn the death of Kim Dae-jung, president from 1998 to 2003.
It made the decision, amid widespread concerns that a prolonged boycott of parliament may lead to negative public sentiment, according to party insiders.
Additionally, the DP is also looking to play a leading role with regard to President Lee Myung-bak's "three major reform tasks for Korean politics," namely the redrawing of electoral and administrative districts, which requires a constitutional revision.
Relevant bills will be discussed during the upcoming session.
The Assembly gathering is also likely to see a series of political confrontations regarding nomination hearings and parliamentary inspection of government offices.
By-elections will take place on Oct. 28, and may affect the parliamentary timetable.
The DP has faced criticism regarding its position to boycott parliamentary activities and negotiations with the GNP, which led to a delay of the June parliamentary session.
It boycotted Assembly sessions after former President Roh Moo-hyun committed suicide on May 23 amid what they consider politically-motivated corruption investigations involving him and his family.