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Opposition defies security guards’ efforts to evict
January 05, 2009
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After six attempts to remove opposition party officials from the National Assembly’s main lobby this weekend, National Assembly Speaker Kim Hyung-o yesterday pleaded with the demonstrators to leave. In return, he promised not to directly introduce controversial bills for a vote. Beginning Saturday afternoon, the National Assembly Secretariat mobilized 140 security guards to remove Democratic and Democratic Labor party officials from the National Assembly building in an attempt to clear the way to the main chamber. Democratic Party lawmakers have occupied the chamber since Dec. 26 to block all voting sessions. On Saturday, Speaker Kim mobilized the guards to restore order. Four attempts were made that day, but only a few Democrats were removed amid fierce resistance. Some 53 guards were injured, with three hospitalized. Two more attempts came yesterday, but the guards were outnumbered by opposition party officials. About 50 security guards scuffled with 200 Democratic Party officials. At the Assembly’s request, some 900 police officers blocked unauthorized entry to the legislature’s main building. Democratic Chairman Chung Sye-kyun said yesterday morning that the largest opposition party will end its occupation of the chamber if Kim promises not to open a voting session. With 82 lawmakers, the Democratic Party fears the GNP will use its 172-seat majority to ram through bills on the U.S.-Korea free trade agreement and media reform measures. Kim appeared to have accepted Chung’s demand. “As National Assembly speaker, I have refrained from directly introducing bills for voting, and I will continue to do so,” he said in a statement yesterday afternoon. Kim’s aide said the remark means Kim will not introduce bills until Thursday, the extra session’s last day. “Before the end of today, anyone who is not a lawmaker must leave the National Assembly’s main building,” Kim said. “This is the last warning.” The Grand National Party held an emergency meeting yesterday as the speaker appeared to give in to Democrats. “We have decided to sit down with the opposition parties for negotiations if they end the violent occupation of the legislature,” said GNP spokeswoman Cho Yoon-sun. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party filed a petition with the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office yesterday to investigate Kim, National Police chief Eo Cheong-soo and other senior National Assembly officials on charges of obstructing duty and abusing their power. By Ser Myo-ja Staff Reporter [myoja@joongang.co.kr] |
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