Rep. Kang, says ‘silent diplomacy’ is no more than a passive responseKorea should strengthen its policies on Dokdo given the Japanese government’s active involvement in recent years, said the chairman of the parliamentary subcommittee on Dokdo issues.Rep. Kang Chang-il, together with Reps. Moon Hak-jin and Chang Se-hwan of the subcommittee, visited early last week Kunashiri Island, the largest amo

Lawmakers have blasted Cabinet members on the savings banks investigation and unofficial summit suggestions to North Korea during the four-day parliamentary interpellation which started Thursday.Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik, who served as chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection in 2008-2010, denied any involvement in the slack supervision of savings banks during that time.The main opposition

Junior pro-Lee Myung-bak lawmakers of the ruling Grand National Party submitted on Wednesday a bill to appoint an independent counsel to investigate Busan Mutual Savings Bank’s irregularities, party officials said.Other savings banks, which were declared near bankrupt and suspended earlier this year along with the Busan bank, are also to be dealt with by the independent counsel, according to the b

The Korean government should focus on reinforcing its social and legal influence over Dokdo, lawmakers and experts said in a parliamentary forum.A seminar was held at the National Assembly on Wednesday by the parliamentary Dokdo Guardians, a group of lawmakers that was launched last month.The discussion was attended by Reps. Suh Sang-kee, Won Hye-young and Park Sun-young and a number of local expe

The main opposition Democratic Party has decided to oppose the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement bill in the June parliamentary plenary session and to urge the government to begin a renegotiation.In preparation for the June session, which is to kick off Wednesday, DP lawmakers gathered Tuesday in a daily workshop to discuss pending issues.“We refuse to ratify the current free trade bill, which is th

Promoters open Internet page for ‘Education Revolution Party’With heated debates underway over college tuition cuts, netizens are preparing to form a new political party to take the matter into their own hands.The “Educational Revolution Party” webpage was recently opened by a Twitter user referring to himself as “Rainman,” but is currently under construction (http://www.edu4korea.net/).“We plan t

The floor leaders of the ruling Grand National Party and the main opposition Democratic Party met to discuss contentious issues prior to the National Assembly’s June session starting Wednesday.Rep. Hwang Woo-yea, floor leader and acting party leader of the GNP, and Kim Jin-pyo of the DP on Monday sought agreement over pending problems, including the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement bill and a parli

The parliamentary ethics committee has voted to expel Rep. Kang Yong-seok, a rookie lawmaker who was embroiled in a sexual harassment scandal after making controversial remarks last year about anchorwomen and women in general.Should the committee’s decision pass the regular session next month, Kang would become the first lawmaker ever dismissed for ethical reasons.The advisory body of the committe

A group of civic groups in South Korea said Sunday they will file a petition demanding the U.S. military release detailed information on its past discharge of toxic chemicals here.Currently, South Korea and the U.S. are jointly investigating claims by retired U.S. soldiers that they had helped dump large amounts of Agent Orange in 1978 inside Camp Carroll in Chilgok, 300 kilometers southeast of Se

Kwon successfully organizes G20 parliamentary forum, hopes to retake Assembly seatThe National Assembly secretary-general is gearing up to retake a lawmaker seat for the fourth time after serving the parliament as head of its administrative affairs.“I believe that one becomes a true politician only after serving several terms as lawmaker and as administrator as well,” Kwon Oh-eul, secretary-genera

While opposition parties pledge to call off the government reshuffle results, the five minister nominees face their parliamentary hearing this week, where they are to be grilled over varying charges and suspicions.“We aim at dismissing all five nominees through the hearings,” said Rep. Kim Jin-pyo, floor leader of the main opposition Democratic Party.His ruling Grand National Party counterpart Hwa

Opposition parties accuse ruling party of copying their fee-cut policyThe ruling Grand National Party has come under fire for its new plan to drastically cut college tuition fees for low-income families. “We aim at lowering the college tuition fees at least by half for all low-income families,” said Rep. Hwang Woo-yea, the GNP floor leader, on Sunday.“Though we expect difficulties in securing the

Parliamentary leaders discuss ways to promote world peace, global developmentThe participants in the Group of 20 Seoul Speakers’ Consultation set out on an in-depth discussion Thursday to promote world peace and global development, especially focusing on anti-terrorism.“Korea is a country founded on the principle of Hong-ik In-gan, or humanitarianism, and is thus ready to offer its cooperation for

Legislative leaders from around the world stressed the role of the parliament in promoting a global safety net in the Group of 20 Seoul Speakers’ Consultation sessions Thursday.Under the motto “Safe World, Better Future,” the first part of the afternoon sessions was allocated to the issue of designing detailed parliamentary collaboration to curb terrorism and respond to natural disasters, accordin

President’s loyalists ignore internal pressure to give way to reformThe pro-Lee Myung-bak group within the ruling Grand National Party has decided not to disband, despite facing controversy after a by-election defeat and shuffle of in-party power.“We have a historic mission yet to fulfill and a leading role to play in supporting the current government,” said Rep. An Kyung-ryul on Wednesday.An form

Following the country’s hosting of the Group of 20 summit last year, the National Assembly is set to host a parliamentary speakers’ forum from Wednesday to Friday.The G20 Seoul Speakers’ Consultation, starts off with an official welcome dinner to be attended by parliamentary speakers from 26 countries, the European Union and the Inter-Parliamentary Union.The countries are mainly G20 states, but fi

The National Assembly is all set to host the international forum of parliamentary leaders kicking off this week.The Group of 20 Seoul Speakers’ Consultation is to start its three-day schedule on Wednesday, during which parliament speakers from G20 states and some select non-G20 states will promote inter-parliamentary cooperation and exchange.An 18-member preparatory committee was established under

The new Grand National Party and Democratic Party floor leaders met Monday to exchange congratulatory messages, as well as edgy remarks over controversial issues.Rep. Kim Jin-pyo, who was elected DP floor leader on Friday, paid a courtesy visit Monday to Rep. Hwang Woo-yea of the GNP.Hwang is also acting as a proxy for the party leader whose seat will be vacant until early July.“I am glad on behal

All eyes are on the new floor leaders of the Grand National Party and Democratic Party, who will lead their parties until the 2012 general election.Former Finance Minister Rep. Kim Jin-pyo, who was elected Friday as DP floor leader, said he would work in tune with his counterparts, especially Rep. Hwang Woo-yea of the GNP.Their predecessors, Park Jie-won of the DP and Kim Moo-sung of the GNP, were

The main opposition Democratic Party elected Friday a former finance minister as the new floor leader to take charge of in-party and inter-party communication.Second-term lawmaker and economic expert, Rep. Kim Jin-pyo beat his rivals, Rep. Kang Bong-kyun and Rep. Lew Seon-ho, to be named the party’s floor leader.He is to succeed Rep. Park Jie-won and lead the party for the next year. Rep. Kim Jin-