ID :
32829
Fri, 11/28/2008 - 19:15
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/32829
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Main opposition rebuffs president's invitation
SEOUL, Nov. 28 (Yonhap) -- The main opposition party leader on Friday flatly declined an invitation by President Lee Myung-bak to meet at his home next week, accusing him of failing to keep earlier promises and demanding changes in his economic and diplomatic initiatives.
President Lee on Thursday proposed a meeting with leaders of three parliamentary
negotiating groups, hoping to convince opposition party leaders to cooperate in
prompt settlement of several pending bills including next year's spending plan.
Lee will go ahead with the meeting "even if some fail to attend it," the
presidential office said.
The 2009 budget, currently pending at the National Assembly, must pass by Dec. 2
by law, but the deadline is unlikely to be met due to ongoing disputes between
the two divided political sides. The 100-day regular parliamentary session will
end on Dec. 9.
"We gave it a thought, but decided it was not a good time," said Chung Sye-kyun,
chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party. "President Lee and I agreed on
many things in September, but none of the promises have been kept. I am afraid
something similar will happen this time."
The liberal main opposition party has been calling on the conservative Lee
government to revise its next year's spending plan which calls for sizable tax
cuts and assumes 4 percent of annual economic growth. Analysts here have forecast
that South Korea's economy will grow by about 2 percent next year amid the global
credit crunch.
The party also wants Lee to soften his stance on North Korea, blaming his
hardline policy for further straining inter-Korean relations.
The presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said Lee's meeting with lawmakers will
proceed as originally planned despite Chung's absence.
"Because he will be briefing party leaders on the result of his recent overseas
trip to attend the G-20 summit and the APEC forum, there cannot be further
delay," an official said.
About 40 party officials will be attending the meeting including Chairman Park
Hee-tae of the ruling Grand National Party and Lee Hoi-chang of the minority
Liberty Forward Party, he added.
hayney@yna.co.kr
(END)
President Lee on Thursday proposed a meeting with leaders of three parliamentary
negotiating groups, hoping to convince opposition party leaders to cooperate in
prompt settlement of several pending bills including next year's spending plan.
Lee will go ahead with the meeting "even if some fail to attend it," the
presidential office said.
The 2009 budget, currently pending at the National Assembly, must pass by Dec. 2
by law, but the deadline is unlikely to be met due to ongoing disputes between
the two divided political sides. The 100-day regular parliamentary session will
end on Dec. 9.
"We gave it a thought, but decided it was not a good time," said Chung Sye-kyun,
chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party. "President Lee and I agreed on
many things in September, but none of the promises have been kept. I am afraid
something similar will happen this time."
The liberal main opposition party has been calling on the conservative Lee
government to revise its next year's spending plan which calls for sizable tax
cuts and assumes 4 percent of annual economic growth. Analysts here have forecast
that South Korea's economy will grow by about 2 percent next year amid the global
credit crunch.
The party also wants Lee to soften his stance on North Korea, blaming his
hardline policy for further straining inter-Korean relations.
The presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said Lee's meeting with lawmakers will
proceed as originally planned despite Chung's absence.
"Because he will be briefing party leaders on the result of his recent overseas
trip to attend the G-20 summit and the APEC forum, there cannot be further
delay," an official said.
About 40 party officials will be attending the meeting including Chairman Park
Hee-tae of the ruling Grand National Party and Lee Hoi-chang of the minority
Liberty Forward Party, he added.
hayney@yna.co.kr
(END)
