ID :
196181
Thu, 07/21/2011 - 06:55
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/196181
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Ruling party chief: Korea-U.S. FTA must pass through parliament next month
SEOUL, July 21 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's ruling party leader stressed Thursday the free trade agreement with the U.S. must pass through parliament next month, saying the long-pending deal will face greater difficulties unless it's approved in the upcoming extraordinary session.
Rep. Hong Joon-pyo of the Grand National Party made the remark in a policy meeting with the administration and the presidential office, saying the accord will face greater obstacles starting in September as rival parties fight over the national budget and other domestic political issues.
"However good the policies of the Lee Myung-bak administration are, they will be of no use unless the National Assembly finalizes them," Hong said during the meeting, asking the government and the presidential office to make greater efforts to help persuade opposition parties.
The trade agreement, signed in 2007 and supplemented last December, has been awaiting approval from the legislatures of the two countries. The main opposition Democratic Party claims the deal is unbalanced in favor of the U.S. and calls for renegotiations.
"If we do our best with a firm belief that we're going in the right direction, the people would support us," Hong said.
Thursday's meeting was the first three-way policy consultation session since Hong took the realm of the ruling party earlier this month. Also in attendance were Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik and presidential chief of staff Yim Tae-hee.
The meeting, which used to be held at the presidential office, took place at the National Assembly, a symbolic gesture that the ruling party will take the initiative in state affairs during the remaining term of the administration and ahead of next year's major elections.
Yim called for close cooperation between the party, government and presidential office, saying the three are "one fleet heading toward the same goal."
Kim said the government will put its policy focus on following the party's calls for stabilizing people's livelihoods.
Rep. Hong Joon-pyo of the Grand National Party made the remark in a policy meeting with the administration and the presidential office, saying the accord will face greater obstacles starting in September as rival parties fight over the national budget and other domestic political issues.
"However good the policies of the Lee Myung-bak administration are, they will be of no use unless the National Assembly finalizes them," Hong said during the meeting, asking the government and the presidential office to make greater efforts to help persuade opposition parties.
The trade agreement, signed in 2007 and supplemented last December, has been awaiting approval from the legislatures of the two countries. The main opposition Democratic Party claims the deal is unbalanced in favor of the U.S. and calls for renegotiations.
"If we do our best with a firm belief that we're going in the right direction, the people would support us," Hong said.
Thursday's meeting was the first three-way policy consultation session since Hong took the realm of the ruling party earlier this month. Also in attendance were Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik and presidential chief of staff Yim Tae-hee.
The meeting, which used to be held at the presidential office, took place at the National Assembly, a symbolic gesture that the ruling party will take the initiative in state affairs during the remaining term of the administration and ahead of next year's major elections.
Yim called for close cooperation between the party, government and presidential office, saying the three are "one fleet heading toward the same goal."
Kim said the government will put its policy focus on following the party's calls for stabilizing people's livelihoods.
