[Editorial] Ruling and Opposition Parties Should Cooperate in Normal Operation of the 18th National Assembly

The 18th National Assembly has yet to convene since it began its official four-year term on May 30. The reason for the stalemate lies in the main opposition United Democratic Party’s refusal to join the parliament, demanding renegotiations of the beef deals struck with the United States on April 18. It is not clear whether the National Assembly can officially open its regular session. Though the government has asked the United States not to export beef from cattle over 30 months old and the ruling Grand National Party promised to accept a parliamentary resolution to renegotiate the beef deal as the UDP demanded, it continues to stage rallies outside the parliament.

According to a law governing the National Assembly, on the seventh day after it starts its term, the National Assembly should open its official session and choose its speaker and vice speaker. The opening of the National Assembly is not about a matter of choice but a legal obligation. It will be wise for the UDP to end outside rallies and cooperate in the smooth operation of the parliament so as not to be criticized for violating the law. Lawmakers’ engagement in street struggles flies in the face of the principle of representative democracy. If they intend to stay in the streets rather than in the parliament, it will be better for them to give up their status as lawmakers.

Politics is to draw up polices based on people’s opinion and coordinate conflicts of interest among people from all walks of life. That is the reason why the people endow lawmakers with the right to legislate law and an annual salary of 400 million won. In this regard, legislators from the UDP are neglecting their duties.

The 18th National Assembly has a heap of things to deal with. The most urgent issue is ratification of the KORUS FTA. It should also devise methods to stabilize people’s livelihoods, which are ever deteriorating due to soaring oil prices and growing inflation. No less important is to draw up a set of laws to revive the economy. If the UDP really exists for the working class and respects national interests, it must take the lead in returning to the National Assembly.

In the same vein, making demands through candlelight protests is not the right way to address the beef issue. If the UDP is to present itself as a party that represents the public, it should come to the National Assembly. No matter what it seeks to gain, whether it is to resolve the controversial beef issue or to extract a big concession from the GNP in the process of forming the National Assembly, it should not let the National Assembly run idle any longer. UDP members should be reminded that antiquated maneuvers that only serve its political interests no longer work in this fast changing society. The governing GNP should also exert its political ability to enlist support from lawmakers of the UDP. The main responsibility to put the National Assembly into smooth operation lies at the feet of the ruling party.