[Editorial] Back on Track

Kim Han-gil, the ruling Uri Party’s new floor leader, and Rep. Lee Jae-oh of the main opposition Grand National Party climbed Mt. Bukhan together and agreed to normalize their respective parties’ working relationship starting in February. The two also agreed to further discuss the controversial school reform law in the Education Committee of the National Assembly when the GNP submits its own revised bill.

The ruling party should be blamed for the 53-day parliamentary stalemate for pushing the private school law too hard. Despite vehement opposition from private school owners, judicial circles, and the GNP, the ruling party and the government passed a bill that includes unconstitutional provisions such as clauses on the appointment of outside directors and a ban on relatives of school owners from being named principals of schools. They even came up with an inappropriate enforcement ordinance to supplement the law as private school foundation protests spread.

Although belated, the agreement is a step in the right direction. The Uri Party has admitted the problems with the government-initiated bill and allowed the GNP to revise it, leaving room for negotiations. The two parties should thoroughly review the bill’s contentious issues and refine the dubious law. In the process, they (and especially the ruling party) ought not to repeat the mistake of being swayed by certain school teachers’ unions and encroaching upon the autonomy of private academies to wipe out extremely minor corruption cases.

The National Assembly has many daunting tasks ahead of it, including confirmation hearings for five ministers and the head of the National Police Agency. Representatives should evaluate their integrity and ability and help the public understand that they will confirm the right man in the right place. The assembly should also carefully deliberate whether to raise or lower taxes. It should deal with the scandals involving broker Yoon Sang-lim, and Hwang Woo-suk.

Issues regarding the constituency of local councils should not go unchecked, either. Recently, provincial government councils decided to cut 161 four-member voting districts settled by the private local boundary commission to 39, while increasing the number of two-member districts from 366 to 607. This goes against the purpose of multi-member districts, which is to bring in diverse talents. And with the possibility of both the Uri Party and GNP monopolizing local councils, constituencies should be reconfigured.

Lawmakers must have heard the public outcry to end their futile political wrangling and work together to invigorate the nation’s economy. That is exactly what they must do in the upcoming National Assembly session