Parties to form special committee on judiciary reform

By Tony Chang

SEOUL, Feb. 10 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's ruling and main opposition parties on Wednesday agreed to launch a special bipartisan committee aimed at reforming the judiciary, which faces criticism over controversial rulings in several politically sensitive cases.

Ahn Sang-soo, floor leader of the ruling Grand National Party (GNP), met with his
counterpart from the Democratic Party (DP), Lee Kang-rae, at the National
Assembly and agreed to launch the 20-member committee, the parties said.
The agreement comes after a standoff between the GNP, the court and prosecutors
after the acquittal of a minority party leader accused of violent behavior in
parliament. In a separate case, a group of broadcasting producers charged with
defaming officials involved in the government's decision to resume U.S. beef
imports were found not guilty by a Seoul court.
The DP, meanwhile, is taking aim at reforming the prosecution, accusing it of
initiating politically motivated cases.
The committee will be comprised of three separate sub-committees dedicated to
reviewing ways to revamp the court, prosecutors' office and private attorneys.
The two leaders also agreed to form an 18-member bipartisan committee to review
and coordinate government policies aimed at fueling job growth.
odissy@yna.co.kr
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