Opposition submits reprimand motion against parliament speaker

SEOUL, March 5 (Yonhap) -- The main opposition party on Wednesday submitted a
reprimand motion against National Assembly Speaker Kim Hyung-o for making
"arbitrary" decisions to bypass due process in handling controversial bills.

The motion signed by all 83 members of the Democratic Party (DP) claimed the
speaker violated several parliamentary processes in the past week by unilaterally
canceling a plenary session and setting a deadline on 15 bills that were not
properly reviewed.
The bills include the highly volatile media-industry reform bill that would allow
private businesses and newspapers to jointly own broadcasting companies.
The government and ruling Grand National Party (GNP) said allowing private
businesses and newspapers to own TV broadcasters would enhance overall
competitiveness, which can lead to job growth.
Opponents countered that such a law would stifle freedom of the press since major
newspapers and most businesses may take steps to regulate news that reaches the
general public.
The DP also said Kim's measure to bar aides from entering the National Assembly
and calling on police to enforce this order can be construed as obstructing their
rightful execution of duties.
"Because the speaker violated laws and hurt the dignity of his office by his
actions, it is only fitting that he be censured," said DP spokesman Cho Jung-sik.
Under South Korea's parliamentary process, the speaker is obliged to refer the
motion to the ethics committee.
Lawmakers last took steps to reprimand a speaker in December 1954.
Related to the motion, the speaker's office criticized the opposition party for
trying to blame Kim for their own lack of commitment to review bills put forward.
"The allegations raised are false and unconscionable," said an aide to the speaker.
The GNP echoed this stance by pointing out that violent actions by DP
parliamentary aides made it imperative to restore order, and the latest measure
can only be construed as a threat to the speaker.
Sources, meanwhile, said that with the GNP controlling a majority in the ethics
committee as well as the 299-seat National Assembly, the motion will probably not
be passed.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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