By Bae Ji-sook
All National Assembly sessions were halted Tuesday as stunned lawmakers condemned North Korea’s artillery attack on the populated Yeonpyeong Island near the disputed western sea border.
Both ruling and opposition parties called the attack unacceptable under any circumstances.
However, they showed slight differences in their stances over possible future retaliatory measures.
Lawmakers ceased a deliberation session for the next year’s budget in the afternoon as soon as news of the attack was reported at around 3 p.m.
Cabinet members, who were called in for questioning, returned to their administrations while floor leaders hurried to an emergency meeting.
“We are way past being shocked or concerned by the incident: We are angry,” said ruling Grand National Party (GNP) spokesman Ahn Hyoung-hwan. “The government should take every means it can to counter North Korea’s provocative action,” he said.
Ruling party leaders canceled talks with Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik scheduled for the evening, and convened an emergency meeting.
The conservative opposition Liberty Forward Party denounced the attack as a declaration of war. “The burning of Yeonpyeong Island and the revelation of the uranium enrichment facilities indicate that North Korea is willing to stage an actual war,” party spokeswoman Park Sun-young said.
“If we do not show a stern response, it will do something more dramatic to solidify the Kim Jong-un regime. Peace doesn’t come through conversation. It is achieved only when we show strong willingness to keep it,” she said asking for strong countermeasures.
The Democratic Party spokeswoman Cha Young said, “North Korea should stop its provocation immediately. We are against violence and inhumane actions under any circumstances.”
But the liberal party was cautious on talking about a military response. “The government should seek for peace in the nation by all means. It should make Yeonpyeong residents’ safety and security a priority above all others.”
The opposition party, which was holding an outdoor protest against the Prime Minister’s Office’s alleged illegal monitoring of politicians, journalists and social leaders, at Seoul Plaza in central Seoul, returned to the National Assembly.
GNP spokesman Ahn also said the ruling and opposition parties will join hands to seek for the best solution to the attack. “There’s no point growling over other issues at this point. We hope the opposition parties agree with us,” he said.
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