Issue of toxic waste dumping addressed

In response to the acknowledgement by the U.S. Forces Korea of having dumped formaldehyde into the Han River, Prime Minister Lee Han-Dong announced on July 14 that the administration will pursue comprehensive preventative mechanisms to insure against recurrence through a push for a environmental protection clause in the revision of the Status of Force Agreement (SOFA).

Prime Minister Lee spoke during the interpellation session of the National Assembly that the administration would also seek further the interest of women by paving the way for greater infusion of women into the workforce and other traditionally male dominated social participation. The administration would also seek to increase the ratio of women in the civil service up to the 20% level and would examine the current regulation and practice of promotion within the civil service rank to discover whether it contains any unfair treatment toward women.

In answer to the question concerning the upholding of the screen quota system, he stated that in consideration of the domestic film industry as it strives for international competitiveness, a push will be made to maintain the current screen quota system during the scheduled talks with the U.S.

Also during the session, several of the opposition Grand National Party¡¯s representatives including Rep. Choi Byung-Ryul once again raised a finger in accusation of the partiality of the prosecution¡¯s office in its investigation into the illegal election practice in violation of the election laws. The opposition lawmakers pointed to the fact that while the ruling party lawmakers who have been accused of election law violation is three times greater than for the opposition lawmakers, the current ratio of indictments do not reflect such ratio.

In response to such accusation, Justice Minister Kim Jung-Gil stated that it was regrettable for certain parties to place the integrity of the Justice Ministry on such chopping block while the investigations are still on-going. The Minister further added that justice will be meted out regardless of party affiliation.

In another aspect of environmental issues, the ruling Millennium Democratic Party Rep. Lee Mi-Kyung called for a halt to the land reclamation project in Sa-man-kuem. She informed the members of the session that the Sae-man-keum tidal flats are marine life treasure coves which provide great economic benefits as well as having a great "ecosystematic" value. However, the land reclamation project has been threatening the very existence of Sae-man-keum ecosystem.

In a show of cross-party support, Rep. Oh Sae-Hoon of the opposition Grand National Party proposed for a meeting of minds concerning the environmental protection policy and bring about a closer cooperative work relation between related governmental offices at different levels and regions. He also called for a discussion for the integration of the environmental bureau and the land development bureau.

In response to a question concerning medical insurance coverage, the Minster of Health and Welfare Cha Hong-Bong revealed that the amount of public fund support for the regional medical insurance program would be around 50% of the amount collected. As for the future direction of the medical insurance program, the Minister further added that the system will be transformed to one which can accommodate the individual on a case by case standard rather than a blanket coverage.

The Minister of Labor commented that there is a need for protection measure for laborers who work under consignment of contractors and thereby become economically dependent on the relationship. The Minister stated that a revision of the current labor laws would be sought to extend an umbrella of protection for such laborers.