GNP to Attend National Assembly as Early as Tomorrow

The Grand National Party (GNP) has decided to attend the National Assembly on December 4 for a revote of the independent counsel bill. President Roh Moo-hyun had vetoed the bill which authorized an investigation into the corruption allegations against his aides.

GNP held a luncheon meeting in the morning to hear opinions on its changing position about the revote. On December 3, it will hold an emergency party meeting and a general meeting to announce its decision to attend the National Assembly and participate in the revote.

The United Liberal Democrats (ULD) and the Millennium Democratic Party (MDP) have already decided to support the bill once it is resubmitted. GNP sees it as an act to save the coalition among the three opposition parties and has internally decided to support the revote. Given the situation, the revote will take place on December 4.

GNP floor leader Hong Sa-duk said at the party meeting that MDP and ULD stated that both parties would support the bill. Passing the bill would be as effective as demanding President Roh to withdraw his veto, Hong added.

MDP spokesperson Kim Sung-sun said that MDP would urge National Assembly Speaker Park Kwan-yong to exercise his authority to have the bill subjected to a revote. Kim also said that he would attend the National Assembly on December 3 to urge GNP to lift its boycott.

Yeon-Wook Jung jyw11@donga.com