Opposition Party Surprisingly Ends Parliamentary Boycott

The main opposition party yesterday unexpectedly ended boycott and said it will attend sessions of the National Assembly.

The move is expected to normalize the extra parliamentary session that has remained stalled since its opening June 26.

Democratic Party Chairman Chung Sye-kyun told a news conference at his office in the National Assembly, “Now that the ritual marking the 49th day of the late former President Roh Moo-hyun is over, the Democratic Party will reshuffle its organization for a stepped up struggle and renew our commitment and will to fight the ruling party.”

“We will begin discussions over parliamentary schedules to normalize the National Assembly to curb the ruling Grand National Party’s move to exploit parliamentary disruptions in railroading its evil acts.”

Chung also blasted the ruling camp’s rejection of the Democratic Party’s five demands as conditions for returning to parliament, including an apology from President Lee Myung-bak’s apology for Roh’s death.

“We will do our best through struggles both in and outside the parliament,” Chung said. “We will block ill-advised media bills pushed by the Grand National Party without fail, and will pass the alternative bill we submitted Friday through constant struggle and negotiations.”

The Democratic Party also ended yesterday its sit-in protest at the National Assembly that began June 23.

Ruling party floor leader Ahn Sang-soo told The Dong-A Ilbo yesterday in an interview, “The Democratic Party should apologize to the public first for staging strikes thus far and disregarding the people’s livelihood.”

“We will restrict our discussions on parliamentary schedules to the convening of parliamentary standing committees and plenary sessions aimed at deliberating on pending bills, and will discuss no other issues.”

He said, “The Democratic Party’s intent is too obvious as it’s moving to return with a little more than 10 days left before the end of the plenary session,” adding, “The Democratic Party must clarify first that it will keep its promise of deliberating the media reform bill through a vote.”

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