ID :
62307
Mon, 05/25/2009 - 17:52
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/62307
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Ruling party's reform drive may lose steam following Roh's death
By Tony Chang
SEOUL, May 25 (Yonhap) -- Efforts by the Lee Myung-bak government and the ruling party to pass controversial reform bills in the upcoming June session of the National Assembly may lose momentum, as the death of former President Roh Moo-hyun triggered opposition outcries that a politically motivated bribery probe on Roh cornered him into committing suicide.
Roh, who served as the country's president from 2003 to 2008, jumped off a cliff
early Saturday morning while hiking behind his home in Bongha Village, about 450
km southeast of Seoul.
Roh's sudden death has prompted strong outrage from his supporters who have long
claimed that the former president and his family were being persecuted through a
politically driven prosecution probe. Both Roh and his wife Kwon Yang-sook, as
well as their son and daughter, had been summoned by the prosecution for
allegedly taking money from a private businessman.
Officials at the National Assembly said that the opening of the June
extraordinary session, which was initially scheduled for the first day of next
month, will be delayed for about a week.
The ruling Grand National Party (GNP) was preparing to push through a score of
contentious laws, including bills on revising media ownership rules and
restricting freedom of expression over the Internet, but the party is expected to
follow a low-key strategy following the unexpected death of Roh supported by the
main opposition Democratic Party (DP).
"I don't think lawmakers would be able to function properly under such
circumstances. We'll have to see how the situation turns out but our plans to
pass reform bills may lose momentum," a ranking member from the GNP told Yonhap
News Agency.
While all parties at the moment were busy paying tribute to the late Roh, some
political observers believe that the opposition may be able to capitalize on
Roh's death to blast President Lee's administration and the ruling party, whose
popularity has taken a strong hit throughout the course of the bribery probe.
"We plan to focus on Roh's funeral at the moment," Chung Sye-kyun, head of the
main opposition Democratic Party, said in a phone interview.
Rep. Song Young-gil of the DP, however, said in a radio interview that the
president should make a public apology regarding Roh's death.
"(The president) must be held accountable either morally or politically," Song said.
Another key member of the DP's leadership also hinted that the party plans to
launch a collective anti-government movement after the mourning period.
"We must bring together the country's liberal forces as there is a national rage
over the death of former President Roh," the official said.
SEOUL, May 25 (Yonhap) -- Efforts by the Lee Myung-bak government and the ruling party to pass controversial reform bills in the upcoming June session of the National Assembly may lose momentum, as the death of former President Roh Moo-hyun triggered opposition outcries that a politically motivated bribery probe on Roh cornered him into committing suicide.
Roh, who served as the country's president from 2003 to 2008, jumped off a cliff
early Saturday morning while hiking behind his home in Bongha Village, about 450
km southeast of Seoul.
Roh's sudden death has prompted strong outrage from his supporters who have long
claimed that the former president and his family were being persecuted through a
politically driven prosecution probe. Both Roh and his wife Kwon Yang-sook, as
well as their son and daughter, had been summoned by the prosecution for
allegedly taking money from a private businessman.
Officials at the National Assembly said that the opening of the June
extraordinary session, which was initially scheduled for the first day of next
month, will be delayed for about a week.
The ruling Grand National Party (GNP) was preparing to push through a score of
contentious laws, including bills on revising media ownership rules and
restricting freedom of expression over the Internet, but the party is expected to
follow a low-key strategy following the unexpected death of Roh supported by the
main opposition Democratic Party (DP).
"I don't think lawmakers would be able to function properly under such
circumstances. We'll have to see how the situation turns out but our plans to
pass reform bills may lose momentum," a ranking member from the GNP told Yonhap
News Agency.
While all parties at the moment were busy paying tribute to the late Roh, some
political observers believe that the opposition may be able to capitalize on
Roh's death to blast President Lee's administration and the ruling party, whose
popularity has taken a strong hit throughout the course of the bribery probe.
"We plan to focus on Roh's funeral at the moment," Chung Sye-kyun, head of the
main opposition Democratic Party, said in a phone interview.
Rep. Song Young-gil of the DP, however, said in a radio interview that the
president should make a public apology regarding Roh's death.
"(The president) must be held accountable either morally or politically," Song said.
Another key member of the DP's leadership also hinted that the party plans to
launch a collective anti-government movement after the mourning period.
"We must bring together the country's liberal forces as there is a national rage
over the death of former President Roh," the official said.
