GNP Determined to Sack Justice Minister

The Grand National Party (GNP) and the Millennium Democratic Party (MDP) hold a meeting at Parliamentary Speaker Park Kwan-yong`s Office. At the meeting the rival parties discussed the issue of opening the parliamentary plenary session to deal with the no-confidence motion against Justice Minister Kim Jung-gil, but failed to reach an agreement.

As the meeting collapsed, Parliamentary Speaker Park said that he would not convene the plenary session until 4 pm, Aug 30. But he added that if the two parties fail to reach an agreement, the issue should be dealt with in accordance with the National Assembly Law, indicating the possibility of allowing the vote ex officio.

The GNP is determined to ram through the dismissal bill against Justice Minister Kim, while the MDP decided to mobilize every possible measure to deter the GNP action, heralding fierce confrontation between the two rival parties. The dismissal bill should be processed by tomorrow.

In a meeting of party officials, Suh Chung-won, GNP chairman reconfirmed the party`s position to play hardball, saying, "The no-confidence motion against Justice Minister was submitted to the National Assembly, and out party will tackle this issue in accordance with the law and principle." GNP floor leader Lee Kyu-taek also said, "We will open the door for dialogue. But if the MDP remains against the bill up to the last minute, we will unilaterally pass the dismissal bill. We will seek for ways for compromise with the MDP on the 29th, then work to pass the bill on the 30th and the 31st."

The MDP held a joint meeting of supreme councilors and senior advisors, and a general meeting of its lawmakers. At the consecutive meetings, the MDP identified the GNP-initiated no-confidence motion against Justice Minister Kim as an act to destroy the national order, and resolved to mobilize every possible means to deter the GNP from ramming through the bill.

MDP floor leader, Chung Gyun-whan met Parliamentary Speaker Park and deliver the party`s position that the National Assembly should not be convened unilaterally by the GNP, and instructed MDP lawmakers, aides and party officials to stand by.

Yu Yun-young, spokesman of the United Liberal Democrats said in a statement that the no-confidence motion against Justice Minister Kim was the GNP`s arrogant act making mockery of the public.

Young-Chan Yoon Yeon-Wook Jung yyc11@donga.com jyw11@donga.com