President Must Take Responsibility for the Problems of the Sunshine Policy

Rep. Cho Wung-Kyu (GNP) asserted yesterday that ``the President has to take responsibilities for the problems of the sunshine policies and the incidents of 8.15 Pyongyang Festivities.``

Rep. Cho argued that ``the dismissal of former Unification Minister Im Dong-Won was to question the responsibility of the sunshine policy that has shaken the identity and democracy of the Republic of Korea not of the incident of the 8.15 Pyongyang Festivities.``

At the National Investigation on the Ministry of Unification, vice Minister Kim Hyong-Gi admitted the possibility to discuss the return visit of Chairperson Kim Jong-Il, saying that ``at the 5th Minister level meeting, the government will bring up the issues that had been agreed at the 6.15 summit talks but not yet implemented.`` responding to the question of Rep. Jang Seong-Min (NMDP) whether the return visit of Chairperson Kim Jong-Il will be discussed at the 5th Minister level meeting.

Rep. Jeong Se-Gyun (NMDP) and Rep. Lee Sang-Deuk (GNP) urged for the strong measures to recover the economy at the investigation on the Ministry of Finance and Economy, arguing that ``the economy will be getting worse even after next year in this situation.``

However, Jin Nyum the Deputy Prime Minister responded, ``the government will maintain the current policy for now.``

The Political Affairs Committee was suspended for 10 minutes by the confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties concerning the summon of re-appointed Prime Minister Lee Han-Dong.

The Culture and Tourism Committee also suspended by the disputes about the summon of senior secretary to the President Park Ji-Won concerning the tax probe investigation. Rep. Kim Yoon-Il (GNP) questioned, ``despite the clear uncertainty of the Mt. Keumgang Tour Project, the government participated in the project.`` quoting the document of the Korea National Tourism Organization, which reads ``the business is considerably uncertain but requires of investment.``

The Construction and Transportation Committee issued an escort order to Lee Sang-Ho, the former director of the Development Headquarters, and Guk Jung-Ho, the former Cheong Wa Dae administrator, for the investigation on the Incheon International Airport. Mr. Lee Sang-Ho presented himself to the investigation meeting in the afternoon but Mr. Guk did not show up.

The 14 standing Committees of the National Assembly implemented their investigation on 25 government departments and affiliated organizations yesterday and will continue their investigations on 402 institutions of the government by Sep. 29.

Song In-Soo issong@donga.com