Pro-Labor Lawmakers Block Bill on FTA with U.S.

Lawmakers of the progressive Democratic Labor Party yesterday physically blocked the submission of a bill on ratification of the free trade agreement with the United States.

At the National Assembly in Seoul, eight party members blocked the entrance of the venue where the parliamentary committee on unification, foreign affairs and trade was to decide on the bill’s submission to a plenary session.

The lawmakers occupied the office of committee chairman Kim Won-woong and physically blocked him from entering the meeting hall.

Party lawmaker Kang Gi-gap said, “If we do not block the submission today, nothing will stop the bill’s approval.”

Fellow member Cheon Young-se added, “All we want is the committee’s word that it will not submit the bill today.”

Kwon Young-ghil, a member of both the committee and the party, offered a compromise of submitting the bill after the general elections based on a consensus from floor leaders.

Kang rejected the idea, however, saying, “That would mean giving up our beef market.”

As the struggle showed no signs of abating, some suggested that either of the committee’s two executive secretaries -- Lee Hwa-young of the liberal United New Democratic Party and Chin Young of the conservative Grand National Party -- run the session. The meeting was adjourned around 11:30 a.m., however, due to the liberal party’s opposition.

Committee Chairman Kim decided to discuss the bill Wednesday morning by convening another plenary session of the parliamentary standing committee after consulting with both parties.

The presidential office also commented on the bill, saying, “We hope the bill reaches the main floor of the extraordinary [parliamentary] session in February. The 17th National Assembly will have completed its job if it passes the bill in March at the latest.”

leon@donga.com