ID :
43997
Tue, 02/03/2009 - 19:49
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/43997
The shortlink copeid
Ruling party vows to eliminate violence in parliament
SEOUL, Feb. 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's ruling party plans to present a bill that would oust legislators accused of using violence at the National Assembly, the party's floor leader said Tuesday.
Parliamentary proceedings were reduced to a brawl in late December and early
January, as opposition lawmakers attempted to physically block a set of
controversial bills the government says are necessary to steer the country
through the economic crisis.
Opposition legislators began to break down the door of a meeting room with a
sledge hammer but were repelled by ruling Grand National Party (GNP) lawmakers
spraying fire extinguishers. A fistfight broke out days later after security
guards tried to break up a sit-in staged by opposition parties.
Rep. Hong Joon-pyo of the GNP said his party will push for a new bill to punish
any lawmakers resorting to violence and threatening behaviors by banning them
from political activity for 10 years. The GNP bill will also call for punishing
non-politicians accused of using violence in parliament with an imprisonment of
less than five years.
"The GNP will permanently banish lawmakers who resort to violence to put a stop
to this vicious cycle at the parliament," Hong said.
He added in his parliamentary speech that the GNP is willing to discuss the
introduction of a filibuster system with opposition parties.
A filibuster is a form of legislative obstruction in which minority parties
attempt to indefinitely extend debate on a proposal to delay the its progress or
prevent a vote completely.
Meanwhile, Hong said the government and the ruling party aim to pass a score of
media and financial deregulation bills, stressing that the media reform bill is
not aimed at privatizing state-owned broadcasters.
Hong also suggested that heightened tension between the two Koreas can only be
resolved through dialogue, and urged the parliament's special committee on
inter-Korean affairs -- led by the opposition parties -- to play a more crucial
role in improving relations.
Parliamentary proceedings were reduced to a brawl in late December and early
January, as opposition lawmakers attempted to physically block a set of
controversial bills the government says are necessary to steer the country
through the economic crisis.
Opposition legislators began to break down the door of a meeting room with a
sledge hammer but were repelled by ruling Grand National Party (GNP) lawmakers
spraying fire extinguishers. A fistfight broke out days later after security
guards tried to break up a sit-in staged by opposition parties.
Rep. Hong Joon-pyo of the GNP said his party will push for a new bill to punish
any lawmakers resorting to violence and threatening behaviors by banning them
from political activity for 10 years. The GNP bill will also call for punishing
non-politicians accused of using violence in parliament with an imprisonment of
less than five years.
"The GNP will permanently banish lawmakers who resort to violence to put a stop
to this vicious cycle at the parliament," Hong said.
He added in his parliamentary speech that the GNP is willing to discuss the
introduction of a filibuster system with opposition parties.
A filibuster is a form of legislative obstruction in which minority parties
attempt to indefinitely extend debate on a proposal to delay the its progress or
prevent a vote completely.
Meanwhile, Hong said the government and the ruling party aim to pass a score of
media and financial deregulation bills, stressing that the media reform bill is
not aimed at privatizing state-owned broadcasters.
Hong also suggested that heightened tension between the two Koreas can only be
resolved through dialogue, and urged the parliament's special committee on
inter-Korean affairs -- led by the opposition parties -- to play a more crucial
role in improving relations.
