National Assembly’s Plenary Session Opens On 18th

Holding a meeting for the floor-leaders of the three parties, ruling and opposition parties agreed to open sessions until 18th to handle public-welfare related laws including the motherhood protection law, and to discuss on the pending problems such as the tax investigation against media firms.

After the meeting, Lee Sang-Soo, the floor-leader of the New Millennium Democratic Party (NMDP), and Lee Jae-Oh, the floor-leader of the Grand National Party (GNP), and Lee Wan-Gu, the floor-leader of the United Liberal Democrats (ULD) revealed, ``We agreed to convene the Finance and Economy Committee, the State Affairs Committee, and the Legislation and Judiciary Committee from 11th to 16th.`` ``We also agreed to hold the plenary session to deal with the special taxation law, the three motherhood related laws, the pharmacy law, the medical law, and the architect related law.``

The floor-leaders also decided to have an urgent question session on pending problems in which related cabinet members are to participate answering the questions. During the question session, the lawmakers will interrogate about the issues on composition of a National Assembly inspection committee on the recent press tax investigation, participation of the Korea National Tourism Organization (KNTO) in the Mt. Kumgang travel project, Whang Jang-Yup’s visit to the U.S., the Japanese History textbook, and the Korea-Japan Fishery Pact.

However, the issue on the ratification of South-North Economic Cooperation Treaty did not reach an agreement since the GNP had wanted to take more time for an internal speculation.

In the meantime, the floor-leader Lee of the ULD said, ``We will actively participate in the National Assembly investigation from August when the prosecutors office’s examination is expected to finish.`` Since the NMDP floor-leader Lee also suggested to open the National Assembly Session in August to handle the revised supplementary budget bills, it is expected that an extraordinary session of the National Assembly will likely be convened in August.

Yoon Jong-Koo jkmas@donga.com