By Yi Whan-woo
National Assembly Speaker Chung Ui-hwa expressed regret, Friday, over Cheong Wa Dae's repeated calls that he exercise his rights to push pending economic and labor bills through the Assembly.
"Parliamentary independence and the principles of separation of powers are now at risk," he told reporters while attending the funeral of former Assembly speaker Lee Man-sup at the Assembly building.
Stressing that Lee was an advocate of parliamentarism throughout his life, Chung said lawmakers should uphold Lee's will to maintain "politics of communication and harmony" and keep these principles to the end.
"We'll follow his path to achieve both harmony and unity, which he desperately aspired to," Chung said.
The comment came after he rejected Cheong Wa Dae's demand on Wednesday to call a vote on a set of economic and labor reform bills amid growing concern that President Park Geun-hye is dogmatic in her governing style.
Citing the National Assembly law, Chung said the economy is not in a "state of emergency" as claimed by the presidential office in its apparent bid to seek parliamentary endorsement of the bills unilaterally.
Cheong Wa Dae has claimed the bills are crucial to implementing President Park Geun-hye's goal to create jobs and revitalize the faltering economy.
Park said Friday she is worried about the parliament being uncooperative with her efforts to revitalize the economy.
Meanwhile, Park's loyalists at the ruling Saenuri Party asked Chung in a joint statement to comply with the presidential office.
The main opposition argued that the bills are designed to benefit family-owned conglomerates and fail to protect temporary workers from being laid off.
The rival parties will hold a meeting Sunday of their chairmen and floor leaders to settle disputes over the pending bills.
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| Chung Ui-hwa |
"Parliamentary independence and the principles of separation of powers are now at risk," he told reporters while attending the funeral of former Assembly speaker Lee Man-sup at the Assembly building.
Stressing that Lee was an advocate of parliamentarism throughout his life, Chung said lawmakers should uphold Lee's will to maintain "politics of communication and harmony" and keep these principles to the end.
"We'll follow his path to achieve both harmony and unity, which he desperately aspired to," Chung said.
The comment came after he rejected Cheong Wa Dae's demand on Wednesday to call a vote on a set of economic and labor reform bills amid growing concern that President Park Geun-hye is dogmatic in her governing style.
Citing the National Assembly law, Chung said the economy is not in a "state of emergency" as claimed by the presidential office in its apparent bid to seek parliamentary endorsement of the bills unilaterally.
Cheong Wa Dae has claimed the bills are crucial to implementing President Park Geun-hye's goal to create jobs and revitalize the faltering economy.
Park said Friday she is worried about the parliament being uncooperative with her efforts to revitalize the economy.
Meanwhile, Park's loyalists at the ruling Saenuri Party asked Chung in a joint statement to comply with the presidential office.
The main opposition argued that the bills are designed to benefit family-owned conglomerates and fail to protect temporary workers from being laid off.
The rival parties will hold a meeting Sunday of their chairmen and floor leaders to settle disputes over the pending bills.
