DP set to decide today whether to physically obstruct vote on trade pact


Rival political parties on Sunday braced for a showdown on the parliamentary ratification of the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement, with both showing little willingness to compromise. 

The main opposition Democratic Party will hold a general meeting of its legislators Monday, where it is expected to decide whether to try to physically obstruct a floor vote on the trade pact, should it happen.

The ruling Grand National Party was moving to put the contentious bill to a plenary vote, saying it cannot wait any more for the DP’s compromise.

“Patience is running thin even among pro-dialogue members. I ask the opposition lawmakers to debate freely and fiercely on the parliamentary floor and then participate in a vote, Kim Jeong-kweon, the GNP secretary general, told reporters.

The conservative ruling bloc is likely to ask National Assembly Speaker Park Hee-tae to call a vote on the FTA bill, which has been languishing at a subcommittee amid vehement opposition from liberal members.

The parliamentary trade committee is to convene Monday. Opposition lawmakers and their aides physically obstructed the committee’s previous sessions in order to prevent the bill’s passage.

“There’s nothing we can do at this point,” Kim said, saying that the direct floor vote seems to be the only option left for the party.

Leaders of the GNP and DP have been trying to work out a compromise but their efforts are seen to be failing.

The DP last week decided to reject an offer from President Lee Myung-bak that he would seek the revision of a key sticking point in the FTA once the parliament ratifies the deal. The party, instead, demanded written commitments from both the Korean and U.S. governments on the renegotiation.

The GNP fumed at the DP’s “obstinacy,” accusing it of not making any concessions while it accepted its demand “100 percent” so far.

Park also vented his frustration at the DP and hinted that he may invoke his right to put the FTA bill to a vote.

A vote may concur during a plenary session Thursday.

The increased likelihood of a physical clash is putting some GNP lawmakers at a difficult position.

Last year, some 22 GNP legislators pledged to give up their candidacy in the next parliamentary election should they be involved in violence in the Assembly.

Most hope to participate in the vote, but the trouble is they may not be able to cast their ballot without clashing with the opposition.

Rep. Kim Sun-dong, one of the 22, said he would not use violence.

“I would choose to get beaten up, if violence occurs.”

Some others said they would not try to enter the parliamentary floor for the vote if they were physically blocked.

The ruling GNP holds 169 seats out of a total of 295. In order to pass the motion, a minimum of 148 must attend the plenary session.

GNP leaders were trying to secure cooperation of a right-wing minority Future Hope Alliance, which holds eight seats, to meet the required quorum.

By Lee Sun-young (milaya@heraldcorp.com)