President Suggests New National Joint Meeting

“As a social consensus tool to discuss our social and economic agendas, I propose a national joint meeting for integration to be attended by all levels of society, including entrepreneurs, labors, civic groups, religion groups, farmers, experts, and politicians,” said President Roh Moo-hyun on October 12.

In this regard, the Office of the Prime Minister is planning to launch a national joint meeting as an affiliated organization of the Office in early December, and 50 members representing all levels of society will attend.

At a plenary session of the National Assembly on behalf of President Roh Moo-hyun, Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan read the administrative policy speech on the occasion of the upcoming plan for managing the 2006 budget and fund. In the speech, President Roh proposed the national joint meeting, saying that he hopes the meeting will serve to create a meaningful consensus on major social issues and conflicts that can not be solved by the government alone.

“As long as the feud, conflicts, and struggles continue within our society, we won’t be able to look forward to sustainable development and joining the rank of advanced nations,” said President Roh. He stressed that now is the time to bring an end to the history tattered by struggles and division, and to open a new chapter for the unity of all levels of society.

“It is common knowledge that the current election system tends to encourage more regional prejudices and division instead of creating national consensus. We should be serious to consider a reform on election system for the future of our nation,” said the president.

On the other hand, GNP Secretary-General Kim Moo-sung showed an indifferent attitude, saying that Korea already has the representative body of its people, the National Assembly, but the president has attempted to create another separate consultation body encompassing all parties from economy, labor society, civic and religion groups, which can be understood as an intent to incapacitate the National Assembly.

Yeon-Wook Jung jyw11@donga.com