KOREA: Opposition parties take to street

Democratic Party, Renewal of Korea Party and New Progressive Party launch campaign to nullify passage of media bills

The Korea Herald
Monday, July 27, 2009

By Cho Ji-hyun

Opposition parties and civic groups took to the streets on Saturday in an intensifying fight against media legislation that the ruling Grand National Party unilaterally passed through parliament last Wednesday.

In a mass rally in central Seoul, the Democratic Party and minor opposition groups declared an all-out campaign to invalidate the enactment, accusing the ruling party of foul play.

The GNP fired back, condemning the opposition for ignoring the ongoing economic difficulties and engaging in off-parliamentary politics with an aim to stir public discontent ahead of the October by-elections, as well as the local elections next June.

"Citizens have endowed the DP with many responsibilities but the task the party is facing at this point is preventing the unilaterally-passed media bills from taking effect," DP Chairman Chung Sye-kyun said before thousands of demonstrators.

The event was jointly staged by civic groups and three opposition parties -- the Democratic Labor Party, the Renewal of Korea Party and the New Progressive Party.

"The laws, objected by seven out of 10 citizens, should be invalidated because of the illegal acts such as proxy votes and re-voting."

The new laws would allow limited cross-ownership of print media and broadcast stations.

Opponents argue that only major conservative newspapers and large businesses would benefit. They also say the laws will hinder freedom of speech, resulting in a reduced diversity of disseminated opinion, and would ultimately result in conservatives ruling the entire media industry.

The DP plans to launch an ad hoc committee as early as today to lead its fight against the media regulations.

Headed by Chung, the body will consist of the party's Supreme Council members and senior lawmakers.

On Friday, Chung submitted his resignation to Speaker Kim Hyong-o in protest of the GNP's unilateral passage of media bills.

About 70 of DP's 84 lawmakers also handed over letters of resignation to the DP leader. Chung said he will later decide on whether to deliver them to the speaker.

Two DP legislators handed in their resignations to the speaker directly.

In response, Kim yesterday said he will not accept their resignations.

"Now that the media bills are settled, we should put an end to the majority's self-righteousness and the minority's obstinacy," he said.

Criticizing the DP for politically using the passage of media bills for the upcoming October by-elections, the GNP said it will focus on improving the livelihoods of ordinary citizens.

Party officials will visit different regions nationwide to hear of people's sufferings and find ways for an economic revival until the start of the September regular parliamentary session.

"Due to the extended June extraordinary session, we must finish a two-month workload in a single month before the opening of a parliamentary session in September. We will give up our vacations and put concerted efforts into enhancing public welfare during this period," said GNP policy chief Kim Seong-jo.

Date Posted: 7/27/2009