ID :
78990
Tue, 09/08/2009 - 11:05
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/78990
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New ruling party chief vows efforts to help working people
SEOUL, Sept. 8 (Yonhap) -- The new head of South Korea's ruling party called on Tuesday for unity in the National Assembly to help low-income workers, apparently trying to wash off the party's image as an ally of the rich.
"The time calls on our Grand National Party (GNP) to protect the poor and working
people," Rep. Chung Mong-joon said in a press conference.
Chung, also head of Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. and the richest lawmaker in the
country, was made the GNP chief after his predecessor, Park Hee-tae, stepped down
Monday to run for a parliamentary seat in the Oct. 28 by-elections.
The Assembly opened its 100-day regular session last week but the GNP and its
rivals have yet to agree on how the parliament will be run, let alone which bills
will be reviewed during its course.
The ongoing strife began in late July when the GNP legislated disputed revisions
to media-related laws in a vote attended only by its own lawmakers. The main
opposition Democratic Party agreed to open the parliamentary session following a
series of street protests while the Assembly was in recess, but with a vow to
stage an "intensified" struggle at the house.
Chung vowed efforts to improve his party's relations with opposition parties,
saying the opposition must be regarded and treated as a partner, not an enemy to
be excluded.
The call for improved ties comes as the government and the ruling party are
seeking to amend the Constitution following President Lee Myung-bak's demand last
month to reduce the number of what he called wasteful, unnecessary elections.
"Every effort to amend the Constitution or change the election system is an
important task that will decide the future of our country," the GNP chief said.
"Everyone must work to implement the political reforms that will decide the next
100 years of the country without any selfish reasons."
Chung's term as the party chief is set to end in July next year as he is serving
the remainder of Park's two-year term, but the party is expected to elect new
leadership as early as February.
The new ruling party chief is scheduled to meet President Lee on Wednesday in a
breakfast meeting, where the president is expected to call for better cooperation
between the government and the party, according to party officials.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)
"The time calls on our Grand National Party (GNP) to protect the poor and working
people," Rep. Chung Mong-joon said in a press conference.
Chung, also head of Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. and the richest lawmaker in the
country, was made the GNP chief after his predecessor, Park Hee-tae, stepped down
Monday to run for a parliamentary seat in the Oct. 28 by-elections.
The Assembly opened its 100-day regular session last week but the GNP and its
rivals have yet to agree on how the parliament will be run, let alone which bills
will be reviewed during its course.
The ongoing strife began in late July when the GNP legislated disputed revisions
to media-related laws in a vote attended only by its own lawmakers. The main
opposition Democratic Party agreed to open the parliamentary session following a
series of street protests while the Assembly was in recess, but with a vow to
stage an "intensified" struggle at the house.
Chung vowed efforts to improve his party's relations with opposition parties,
saying the opposition must be regarded and treated as a partner, not an enemy to
be excluded.
The call for improved ties comes as the government and the ruling party are
seeking to amend the Constitution following President Lee Myung-bak's demand last
month to reduce the number of what he called wasteful, unnecessary elections.
"Every effort to amend the Constitution or change the election system is an
important task that will decide the future of our country," the GNP chief said.
"Everyone must work to implement the political reforms that will decide the next
100 years of the country without any selfish reasons."
Chung's term as the party chief is set to end in July next year as he is serving
the remainder of Park's two-year term, but the party is expected to elect new
leadership as early as February.
The new ruling party chief is scheduled to meet President Lee on Wednesday in a
breakfast meeting, where the president is expected to call for better cooperation
between the government and the party, according to party officials.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)
