When the 17th National Assembly started, the then ruling Uri Party, now the United Democratic Party, clashed with the Grand National Party over the National Security Law, as well as regulations involving private schools, laws governing newspapers and those authorizing re-investigation of murky episodes in our recent past. Now things have flip-flopped, with the fight centering on the ratification of the Korea-U.S. free trade agreement and the Korea-U.S. beef accord. There were scenes reminiscent of a construction site when the GNP used chains to block access to the main hall of parliament to stop the passage of contentious bills, and the UDP used chainsaws to cut through the chains. Elder politicians were simply shocked by such scenes.

Amid the problems following the general election, an extraordinary session was convened to ratify the Korea-U.S. FTA. This move led the public to wonder whether lawmakers were at least determined to ensure a smooth ending. The FTA is the manifestation of our efforts to boost exports and jobs, while improving our service sector. But the UDP ruined the possibility of ratifying the FTA citing the reopening of the Korean market to U.S. beef imports.

Candlelight vigils over mad cow fears will not go away, let alone lose steam, even if the FTA is ratified. The only thing the UDP can gain by linking the beef issue with the FTA is the pleasure of harassing the Lee Myung-bak administration. But the approval rating of this administration plummeted even before the UDP got on its case. In the end, it’s not the government that the UDP is harassing, it is the Korean public.

The GNP made a fourth visit to the National Assembly speaker on Wednesday to seek support in the ratification of the FTA. On that same day, UDP lawmakers began a sit-in protest at the National Assembly opposing the government’s resumption of U.S. beef imports. So the end of the 17th National Assembly will be marked by a sit-in. The new UDP floor leader met with the senior presidential secretary for political affairs, but the meeting produced no results.

Already the newly elected lawmakers of the 18th National Assembly are busy moving into their new offices. It begins tomorrow, but the UDP is poised to link the beef issue with the formation of committees, making it unclear when official business can start. This means that there is no telling when the Korea-U.S. FTA will be put forth for ratification.

Addressing the UDP, former National Assembly speaker Kim called on the 18th National Assembly to avoid physical attempts to block the passage of regulations. Addressing the GNP, Kim asked for greater respect for minority groups and diversity. The public is anxiously waiting for change.