GNP wants time out on Sejong

Grand National Party floor leader Ahn Sang-soo said yesterday that the discussion on the contestable Sejong City development project should be shelved until the government puts forward an alternative plan.

"I propose putting a temporary end to the unfruitful dispute until the government presents its own plan," said Ahn during his speech at a National Assembly plenary session.

Indicating that the two opposing sides - those pursuing the original scheme and others pushing for a revision - are colliding over the project, he said the ruling party would thoroughly debate the issue following the government`s release of an alternative choice.

He also called on lawmakers to work together to improve the parliament`s operation, noting that some of the past behavior was "too embarrassing to even hold my head up high."

"Only looking back at this past year, the Assembly was tainted with violence, curses and illegal occupation of the chamber as well as trespassing by unauthorized personnel," he said.



Ahn noted that some were held back from practicing their voting rights, placards were showcased during the regular parliamentary session`s opening session and there was also a notable event where people called for the Assembly speaker`s resignation.

"The GNP will push for the enhancement of the parliament`s operation," he said. "Let`s escape from such a vexing status and build a solid fundamental operation of the Assembly by combining the support of the ruling and opposition parties."

He also reiterated his strong support for the President Lee Myung-bak administration`s most-promoted four-river restoration project and urged the creation of a special parliamentary committee, joined by political parties, to discuss the issue of a Constitutional revision.

In response, the opposition fiercely criticized Ahn, claiming that the GNP insisted on its own field of interest, rather than showing any remorse for irresponsible acts.

The main opposition Democratic Party said Ahn`s remarks over the Sejong City development project demonstrated the GNP`s irresponsibleness by trying to hide behind the government.

"It was a speech which had no clue on why the people were turning their backs on the ruling party," said DP spokeman Noh Young-min. "Especially, Ahn has pushed for the original scheme for Sejong City but why is he proposing to pause the discussion now?"

Other minor oppositions, including the Liberty Forward Party, the Democratic Labor Party and the New Progressive Party, also expressed strong disappointment at the GNP`s position on the Sejong City and "four-rivers" projects.

"The floor leader`s remarks on the two projects was nothing fresh but a repeat of what the presidential office was suggesting. We were particularly let down by the fact that the GNP, which initially provided the problems leading to Assembly violence, did not reflect upon itself," said DLP spokesperson Woo Wui-young.

(sharon@heraldm.com)



By Cho Ji-hyun