Ruling, opposition parties clash over media law revisions

SEOUL, July 22 (Yonhap) -- Hundreds of rival party lawmakers clashed violently at the National Assembly Wednesday, as the ruling Grand National Party (GNP) tried to unilaterally pass disputed revisions to a set of media industry laws.

Rep. Kwak Jung-sook of the splinter opposition Democratic Labor Party was taken
to hospital after suffering injuries in a clash with GNP legislators, while
several other ruling and opposition party lawmakers also sustained minor
injuries.
The physical clash occurred as GNP lawmakers, surrounded by their aides, were
attempting to enter the Assembly's main hall to vote on the controversial media
industry reform bills, which would allow ownership of broadcasting companies by
newspapers and conglomerates.
Adding to the chaos, a group of 20 media industry workers staged a sit-in in
front of the main hall, chanting slogans of opposition to the reform bills.
As of 3 p.m., about 130 GNP lawmakers had already entered the main hall, while
National Assembly Speaker Kim Hyung-o, a former GNP lawmaker, was reportedly
gauging an appropriate time to invoke his authority to call a vote on the
disputed bills.
The rival parties have been at odds over the media reform bills for over eight
months.
The conservative ruling party claims the reform bills would promote competition
in the media industry, whereas the DP argues the reform drive reflects a
conservative push to control the media and will only benefit the country's major
conservative newspapers.
The GNP is pressed for time, as the ongoing extraordinary parliamentary session
will end Saturday. The next regular session will open in September.
The GNP controls 169 seats in the 299-member unicameral house, enough to pass the
bills through voting. The main opposition Democratic Party, which holds 84 seats,
has vowed to mobilize all possible means to block the GNP from attempting to
unilaterally put the bills to a vote.