Senior lawmakers of the ruling and opposition parties on Tuesday pledged to ensure bipartisan cooperation in "normalizing" inter-Korean ties that have deteriorated in recent years amid Pyongyang's dogged pursuit of nuclear arms and longer-range missiles.
The lawmakers made the pledge as they launched a gathering at the National Assembly to explore ways to forge a breakthrough in the deadlocked cross-border relations.
The inaugural gathering was attended by four-term or five-term lawmakers including ruling Saenuri Party Reps. Choung Byoung-gug, Kang Ghil-boo and Joo Ho-young; and main opposition Minjoo Party Reps. Kim Boo-kyum, Byun Jae-ill, Song Young-gil and Oh Jae-sae.
Won Hye-young (2nd from R), a five-term lawmaker with the Minjoo Party of Korea, speaks during a gathering of senior lawmakers at the National Assembly on July 5, 2016. (Yonhap)
"As this gathering is bipartisan one, I hope that this would play a role in discussions to enhance inter-Korean relations," said Won Hye-young, a five-term lawmaker with the Minjoo Party who led the launch of the gathering.
At the first gathering, participants put forward their ideas of how to improve inter-Korean relations. Rep. Choung said that the current government's hard-line stance could be a way to improve cross-border ties.
"(South Korea) took both soft-line and tough-line stances in the past. But the North is going its own way without seeking to reverse course," he said at the gathering. "After all, taking a hard-line stance could be one of ways to normalize inter-Korean relations."
In a move to build a "normal" state-to state relationship, the Park Geun-hye administration has refused to offer unconditional aid to the impoverished neighbor and has taken a tough stance regarding Pyongyang's repeated provocations.
The Park administration has also rejected Pyongyang's recent dialogue offers, saying that the overtures could be part of its deceptive tactics to ease international isolation and sanctions stemming from its past provocations including its nuclear test in January and long-range rocket launch the following month.
The political circles have been divided over the issue of how to improve cross-border relations. The conservative ruling party has largely been leaning towards taking a tough stance in dealing with Pyongyang's provocative behavior, while the liberal opposition Minjoo Party has put more weight to the importance of cross-border dialogue and exchanges. (Yonhap)