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The 18th National Assembly, which officially began its term on May 30, has been bogged down in political wrangles to the detriment of any other business. The Assembly elected the speaker on July 10 and established five special committees, including one to audit the process of negotiations between Korea and the U.S. on reopening the Korean market for American beef, but the parties have yet to break an impasse on some issues, such as which witnesses to call.
They are still disputing which party takes the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee. This is the first time since the 14th National Assembly 16 years ago that this preliminary business did not get completed two months after opening. As a result, parliament has not passed a single bill yet, and there are 456 bills, including one on a supplementary budget of W4.9 trillion (US$1=W1,009) and measures to deal with soaring oil prices, waiting to be laid before the assembly.
Criticism of lawmakers who are getting paid for no work is growing. A user wrote on the web board of the National Assembly homepage, ¡°How can legislators be paid when they do not work at all? I plead with them to think from the perspective of ordinary citizens, who are suffering from the delayed passing of bills.¡± Another complained, ¡°What kind of people are these lawmakers? They should work at least the amount that reflects the salary they get.¡±
But because of deepening conflicts between the ruling and the opposition parties over the issue of choosing witnesses for the special committee on beef, and because August is the summer vacation and the Olympic season, it is unlikely the National Assembly will get to work until the regular session starts in September.
In this situation, President Lee Myung-bak assumes that there is no chance of holding confirmation hearings for new ministers and plans to go ahead with appointing the new education, agriculture, and welfare ministers officially this week. Ahn Byong-man will be the new minister of education, science and technology, Jang Tae-pyoung minister of food, agriculture, forestry and fisheries, and Jeon Jae-hee minister of health, welfare and family affairs.
A Cheong Wa Dae official said, ¡°July 30 was the 20th day since Cheong Wa Dae sent a request to the National Assembly for a confirmation hearing for the ministerial candidates. If the National Assembly doesn¡¯t hold the hearing within 20 days, the president can appoint ministers without a hearing 10 days later, so Cheong Wa Dae will proceed to the next step.¡±
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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