By Park Song-wu
Staff Reporter

National Assembly Speaker Kim Won-ki has indicated he will not sit idly by and watch the ruling Uri Party unilaterally rush its ``reform bills’’ through parliament, saying the 17th legislature should not allow a party to misuse its majority status as happened in the past.

``I will not allow parliamentary disorder reoccur while I am serving as speaker of the Assembly,’’ Kim said during an exclusive interview on Friday with The Korea Times, marking its 54th foundation anniversary.

``I will try hard to prevent it from happening by persuading parties to talk to each other and compromise on major issues,’’ he said.

Many people still recall the scene in March when lawmakers of the then minor Uri Party were dragged kicking and screaming from the plenary chamber in which opposition legislators voted 193-2 to impeach President Roh Moo-hyun.

``I will patiently do my best to seek dialogue and compromise in politics during the regular session,’’ said Kim, formerly a leader of the ruling camp until he deserted from the party to take office as speaker. ``But I can’t wait forever. I will make a definite decision when I have to.’’

The 67-year-old veteran politician didn’t elaborate on what kind of decision he would make if the current political deadlock continues.

The liberal Uri Party, which became a 152-member majority in the 299-seat Assembly after winning the April parliamentary polls, plans to push through with its four much-touted bills to reform the country, including an abolition of the anti-communist National Security Law.

But the opposition Grand National Party’s (GNP) persistent objection to the bills has prompted the Uri Party to consider the option of railroading the bills through the Assembly.

In the current political deadlock, triggered by Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan’s remarks against the GNP and two conservative newspapers, Kim has criticized Lee for his lack of respect for parliament.

``Constitutional bodies should respect each other,’’ said Kim, who was elected six times in a constituency in North Cholla Province. ``The government should value lawmakers who represent the people.’’

He advised the GNP not to hold too firmly to partisan interests. ``It’s not desirable for lawmakers to be fettered by partisan politics,’’ Kim said. ``Mutual respect is essential to improving inter-party relations as well as to relations between the government and the parties.’’

The conservative party is currently boycotting the parliamentary interpellation session, urging Roh to dismiss Lee for his repeated disparaging remarks, including the comment, ``Everybody knows that the GNP is bad.’’

Kim promised to do his best to gradually establish an atmosphere of mutual respect in the Assembly, saying the legislature losing its dignity or coming to a standstill due to such conflicts was hardly desirable.

Kim, however, said it is natural for the ruling and opposition parties to confront each other on key issues such as the reform bills pushed by the Uri Party, due to differing party lines.

The two main parties are locking horns over the four bills, which include the annulment of the National Security Law, a review of the nation’s modern history, regulation of the media market and management of private schools.

Kim indicated flexibility was the solution to the political deadlock.

``The ruling party should take a gradual approach in dealing with its four reform bills, while the opposition party needs to abandon its categorical objection,’’ Kim said. ``In the case of the security law, we could wait for an opportune time to address the issue if the public still thinks they need the law at the moment.’’

Mentioning the capital relocation, another hot issue, Kim expressed his dissatisfaction with the Constitutional Court’s ruling against Roh’s signature pledge in the 2002 presidential election.

``Nobody can object to a court ruling made in accordance with due process,’’ Kim said. ``But it will be under discussion for the time being and I expect a lively debate concerning the verdict.’’

He hinted that the country should prepare a measure to check the highest court if experts in law and civic leaders come to the conclusion that the ruling is inappropriate.

``Scholars and those of different social standings have a range of opinions on the court ruling,’’ Kim said. ``If their discussions reach the conclusion that it was inappropriate, the country should take proper steps to prevent the court from making improper rulings in the future.’’

However, Kim underlined that the validity of the 8-1 verdict on Oct. 22 should not be challenged.

The government plan to relocate the administrative capital to the agricultural Yongi-Kongju area in South Chungchong Province started when the Assembly passed a special bill late last year with the agreement of the then majority GNP.

But the conservative party changed its mind after its defeat in the April general elections, citing recent surveys that show more than 60 percent of the public are opposed to the capital relocation.

im@koreatimes.co.kr