Floor Leaders Begin School Law Talks

The ruling Uri Party and the opposition Grand National Party (GNP) have begun negotiations to restore normalcy in the National Assembly. Since the Uri Party railroaded the Private School Act through the National Assembly last December 25, both parties have been at odds. The negotiations could lead to the opening of an extraordinary session of the National Assembly in February.

Kim Han-gil and Lee Jae-Oh, floor leaders of the two parties, met at Lee’s office yesterday for the first time since Kim’s election and sought ways to settle the standing issues comprehensively.

During the talks, the atmosphere was friendly for the most part. The two agreed to climb Mt. Bukhan together on January 27 to enhance mutual understanding, arousing hopes for a February National Assembly opening.

Technically, there is not much difference between the two parties’ stances. The GNP said it will attend the National Assembly if the Uri Party shows willingness to revise the act, and the Uri Party said it can discuss a revision when the National Assembly reconvenes.

“The Private School Act is not the word of God, and I don’t believe we can’t revise the smallest letter or the smallest pen stroke. If the GNP presents a revised bill to the National Assembly, we are ready to deal with it sincerely,” said Kim during an extended party executive meeting held in the party headquarters in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul.

While maintaining its policy that the revision of the act should not be prerequisite to the GNP’s return to the National Assembly, the Uri Party seems to be holding out hope for a revision. To resolve standing issues, including confirmation hearings for newly nominated ministers, Kim is trying to bring the GNP back to the National Assembly.

“We cannot push ahead with [all the] provisions in our revision draft. The confirmation hearings will start from February 10, so they will not be delayed if the two parties reach an accord around the Lunar New Year,” said Lee to journalists, signaling his willingness for negotiations.

GNP lawmaker Lee Koon-hyon drafted a revised private school bill accepting 13 provisions, revising 10, and deleting seven from the Uri Party’s version, including allowing an open director system only in universities and not in elementary, middle, and high schools, and strengthening inspection activities. The revision draft demonstrates the GNP’s willingness to partially tolerate the railroading and start negotiations for a bill revision.

Even though a conciliatory mood is maturing between the ruling and the opposition party, it may still be a time to wait and see what becomes of it.

Sung-Won Park swpark@donga.com taewon_ha@donga.com