코리아타임즈 Political Turmoil in store

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Political Turmoil in Store Conflict Over Four Reform Bills to Mar State Management

Political turmoil is expected to grip the nation as the ruling Uri Party submitted four reform bills to the National Assembly on Wednesday, ignoring the outcry from the main opposition Grand National Party. The conflict between the two rival camps is sure to obstruct the proceedings of the present regular session of the Assembly, which will last until the middle of December. Consequently, the management of state affairs will be seriously impeded. In particular, the economy, suffering from prolonged stagnation, will be delivered another severe blow, shattering the public's desperate hopes for an early recovery. The submission of the four reform bills demonstrates the government's and the ruling party's sheer disdain for those telling them to concentrate their efforts on realizing a quick economic turnaround. They are also criticized for conducting politics of brinkmanship, breaking their promise to engage in reconciliation through harmony with the opposition. As the four bills have finally been thrown on the table, the manner in which the opposition GNP chooses to cope with them is a matter for concern. It is sincerely hoped that the GNP does not oppose the bills simply for the sake of opposition, as it has done so far. Among the four bills, the three concerning the press, private schools and the nation's modern history have general support, as revealed by an opinion poll recently conducted by MBC TV. The GNP should endeavor to make its position on the three bills known through negotiations with the government party. Importantly, the move to adjust the circulation of newspapers needs to be stopped as it not only violates the core principles of a market economy but also infringes on the people's right to choose. The last bill concerning the anti-communist law, however, could drive the two parties to extremes, seriously disturbing national unity. The ruling party is determined to abolish the national security law, introducing new legislation or amending the present criminal laws to make up for the scrapping. The GNP is bent on preserving the controversial law but supports its revision. MBC TV's opinion poll showed that a majority of those surveyed oppose the abolition of the security law, which has been in force since 1948, because of existing threats from North Korea. The Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court have already indicated their support for the preservation of the anti-communist law, regardless of its use by previous authoritarian governments to crack down on dissidents challenging their power. In light of the general sentiment for keeping the security law, it would be desirable for the ruling party to withdraw the plan for its abolition. All in all, the two rival camps should cooperate to handle the four bills smoothly so as to prevent the nation from falling into political chaos.