``Current Regime Is Pro-North Korea Group``, Rep. Kim Yong-Gap`s Manuscript Creates Stir

The National Assembly was stalled for the second consecutive day yesterday during the interpellation session leaving the issues of unification, foreign affairs and security unaccounted for, due to the acute bipartisan confrontation over the Grand National Party (GNP) member Ahn Taek-Soo`s demand for the resignation of President.

However, the Millennium Democratic Party (MDP)`s Lee Sang-Soo and the GNP floor leader Lee Jae-Oh held floor leaders` meeting three times, presided over by Lee Man-Sup, the Speaker of the National Assembly, and narrowed their disagreement, thus, paving the way for normal operations of the National Assembly on Friday.

The MDP floor leader Lee Sang-Soo demanded for an apology from Rep. Ahn and the deletion of stenographic record of Ahn`s problematic statement. Lee also demanded for the correction saying that ``the GNP`s Kim Yong-Gap intended to label the current regime as a `pro-North Korea group` in his pre-distributed manuscript for the interpellation of the government.``

However, the GNP floor leader Lee Jae-Oh opposed to the demand saying that ``we cannot accept the request for an apology from Rep. Ahn.``

At the end, the two floor leaders made a provisional agreement on the deletion of stenographic record of Ahn`s problematic statement, the GNP floor leader Lee Jae-Oh`s apology as the representative of the floor, and the adjustment of Rep. Kim Yong-Gap`s manuscript for the interpellation of the government.

However, the two floor leaders failed to reach to the final agreement due to some disagreement. However, the MDP floor leader Lee said he would withdraw his demand for the speech for the progress of proceedings. Therefore, if the provisional agreement is accepted in the two parties general meetings, which are to be held Friday morning, the interpellation session seems to resume.

The MDP defined the Ahn`s remark as a `political terrorism` in the supreme council meeting and the general meeting, and demanded for an apology from the GNP and the prevention of the recurrence.

Han Kwang-Ok, chairperson of the MDP, said that ``the fact that Ahn slandered President in a sinister attempt to paralyze state affairs by abusing his immunity right is an intentional provocation that violates the spirit expressed at the summit between President Kim and opposition leader. Therefore, we will respond sternly to the incident.``

The GNP also decided to delete the stenographic record, while not accepting the demand for an apology from Rep. Ahn, in the party leaders` meeting and the general meeting.

Kwon Chul-Hyun, spokesperson of the GNP, said in his comment that ``it is the epitome of crudity that the ruling party paralyzed the National Assembly by problematizing Ahn`s remark. Is it the Republic of Korea`s National Assembly that is closed down by President`s one word of reproach?`` Rep. Ahn said in the general meeting that ``even if the party leaders accept the ruling party`s demand, I cannot apologize to the end. But, there is a way that Lee Jae-Oh floor leader may apologize in stead of me.``

Moon Chul fullmoon@donga.com