By Choi Ha-young
The main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) is under growing criticism for boycotting National Assembly sessions despite the escalating security crisis on the Korean Peninsula.
On Saturday, the largest conservative party decided to boycott all regular Assembly sessions, claiming the freedom of the press was in jeopardy. The decision came after a district court issued an arrest warrant for MBC President Kim Jang-gyeom, who is being investigated by the labor ministry for his involvement in labor abuses.
According to the MBC union, Kim, who was appointed by the ousted former President Park Geun-hye, coerced the news team into producing biased reports in favor of conservatives and fired some staff members who refused to obey him.
On Monday, the LKP members refused to sign an Assembly resolution denouncing North Korea's sixth nuclear test the day before. Instead, they staged a protest at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in southern Seoul.
The party has stepped up its political offensives against President Moon and the ruling camp.
LKP floor leader Rep. Chung Woo-taik even canceled a planned speech at a parliamentary session, Tuesday. The LKP lawmakers held a rally in front of Cheong Wa Dae later in the day, demanding a meeting with President Moon Jae-in. However, Moon did not meet them.
Considering the flooding criticism against the party, the LKP has cooperated with committees related to security, diplomacy and intelligence affairs. During President Moon's Russia visit from Wednesday to Thursday, where summits with President Vladimir Putting and Japan's Prome Minister Shinzo Abe are scheduled, LKP Chairman Hong Joon-pyo said it will temporarily stop the boycott.
"However, we will continue our struggle until the administration drops its bid to control public broadcasters," Hong said.
Earlier Monday, the LKP told reporters that "Kim should not attend the labor administration without consultation with the party."
In response to the LKP's nonparticipation, the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) urged the conservative party to return to the Assembly. "Since the MBC head Kim decided to make his appearance, there's no reason to continue boycott," DPK Chairwoman Choo Mi-ae said Tuesday.
"The LKP has always posed as a conservative party with a firm stance on security. Is Kim's fate more important than the unprecedented security crisis? Stop the unjustifiable propaganda," Choo added.
The fairness of public broadcasters has been a hot potato here, following the power transition from conservative to liberal governments. Labor unions of MBC and KBS started a strike Monday, determined to remove the companies' heads who allegedly colluded with the disgraced President Park.
The main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) is under growing criticism for boycotting National Assembly sessions despite the escalating security crisis on the Korean Peninsula.
On Saturday, the largest conservative party decided to boycott all regular Assembly sessions, claiming the freedom of the press was in jeopardy. The decision came after a district court issued an arrest warrant for MBC President Kim Jang-gyeom, who is being investigated by the labor ministry for his involvement in labor abuses.
According to the MBC union, Kim, who was appointed by the ousted former President Park Geun-hye, coerced the news team into producing biased reports in favor of conservatives and fired some staff members who refused to obey him.
On Monday, the LKP members refused to sign an Assembly resolution denouncing North Korea's sixth nuclear test the day before. Instead, they staged a protest at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in southern Seoul.
The party has stepped up its political offensives against President Moon and the ruling camp.
LKP floor leader Rep. Chung Woo-taik even canceled a planned speech at a parliamentary session, Tuesday. The LKP lawmakers held a rally in front of Cheong Wa Dae later in the day, demanding a meeting with President Moon Jae-in. However, Moon did not meet them.
Considering the flooding criticism against the party, the LKP has cooperated with committees related to security, diplomacy and intelligence affairs. During President Moon's Russia visit from Wednesday to Thursday, where summits with President Vladimir Putting and Japan's Prome Minister Shinzo Abe are scheduled, LKP Chairman Hong Joon-pyo said it will temporarily stop the boycott.
"However, we will continue our struggle until the administration drops its bid to control public broadcasters," Hong said.
Earlier Monday, the LKP told reporters that "Kim should not attend the labor administration without consultation with the party."
In response to the LKP's nonparticipation, the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) urged the conservative party to return to the Assembly. "Since the MBC head Kim decided to make his appearance, there's no reason to continue boycott," DPK Chairwoman Choo Mi-ae said Tuesday.
"The LKP has always posed as a conservative party with a firm stance on security. Is Kim's fate more important than the unprecedented security crisis? Stop the unjustifiable propaganda," Choo added.
The fairness of public broadcasters has been a hot potato here, following the power transition from conservative to liberal governments. Labor unions of MBC and KBS started a strike Monday, determined to remove the companies' heads who allegedly colluded with the disgraced President Park.
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