Some Opposition Lawmakers Demand Free Vote on Teachers Retirement Bill

While the Grand National Party (GNP) has moved one step back from passing the teachers retirement bill (a revision of educational government officials law) at the National Assembly main session scheduled on Nov. 29 to coping with it within the term of the National Assembly ordinary session (through Dec. 8), a controversy over the raising of the retirement age is being heated up as some progressive lawmakers within the GNP demanded a free vote according to one`s convictions.

Meanwhile, conflicts between the ruling and the opposition parties seem to continue as the New Millennium Democratic Party (MDP) is stepping up the offensive, arguing the issue of the retirement of teachers should be dealt with apart from the level of a political dispute at the plenary committee newly introduced to the 16th National Assembly, while the GNP is declining to summon the committee.

Accordingly, a delay in the National Assembly`s passing of the revised educational government officials bill through is forecasted.

The GNP Floor Leader Lee Jae-Oh told to reporters, "The settlement of the revised educational officials law at the main session of the National Assembly scheduled on Nov. 29 had assumed the presentation of the bill before the Legislation and Judiciary Committee on Nov. 26, which was delayed till Nov. 28." and added, "It will be fine if the bill is passed within the session of the National Assembly."

But Lee emphasized, "The party opinion on the matter of raising the retirement age of educational officials was made three year ago, and its change is unthinkable." and continued, "It is the party`s unchangeable plan to pass the revised educational officials law during the session."

The GNP`s final course is forecasted to be determined after Nov. 29 when the party president Lee Hoi-Chang returns. And the bill is very likely to be presented before the main session some time between 6th and 8th of December, right before the closing of the National Assembly.

Meanwhile, the Political Reform Meeting comprised of the ruling-opposition reformist lawmakers is planning to have a meeting on Nov. 26 and discuss matters, including free-voting (cross-voting) on the revised educational officials law.

The MDP Floor Leader Lee Sang-Soo said, "We are considering proposing the president to exercise the veto rights even after the passing of the bill in the National Assembly if the public sentiment turns out to be far worse."

Yeon-Wook Jung jyw11@donga.com