Parliamentary inspection starts today

Ahead of the parliamentary inspection of the government agencies that starts Thursday, the ruling and opposition parties were busy preparing for it by setting up briefing rooms and discussing measures for the Assembly inspection, which will be held for the first time for the current 16th parliamentary session.

Unlike the previous inspections, not only newcomers but also veteran lawmakers were engrossed in studies for the event. The Assemblymen's Hall rooms were lighted until late at night.

The ruling Millennium Democratic Party held a party executive council meeting and confirmed a strategy to make the current inspection session an arena for policy competition with the opposition party. MDP chairman Suh Young-Hoon told the council that his party would cope sternly with the opposition party's unwarranted political offensive against the ruling camp.

On the other hand, GNP president Lee Hoi-Chang, presiding over a countermeasures meeting, called upon his party¡¯s lawmakers to demonstrate their capability as the opposition force to check the government. Lee also called for the restoration of the "opposition character," pointing out that the party legislators have disappointed the people, due to their activities unbefitting opposition lawmakers during the course of managing the legislature.

Meanwhile, the splinter United Liberal Democrats held a meeting in preparation for the parliamentary inspection with floor leader Lee Yang-Hee presiding. The ULD decided to dig out the administrative failures and present alternative policy steps.

Song In-Soo issong@donga.com