By Lee Jin-woo
Staff Reporter


Ruling Uri Party lawmakers Tuesday urged the government and the party to focus on reviving the nation’s economy instead of forming a grand coalition with the largest opposition Grand National Party (GNP).

Despite the opposition parties’ flat rejection of the proposal, President Roh has continuously suggested transferring his powers to them, especially to the GNP, through a ``grand coalition,’’ and overhauling the electoral system.

On a television program last week, Roh once again pledged he would be willing to give over his presidential power to opposition parties if they accept his proposal. Roh has repeatedly stressed his plan is aimed at uprooting lingering regional antagonism in Korean politics.

Heated discussions on the coalition proposal dominated the governing party’s two-day workshop held in Tongyong, South Kyongsang Province.

``We have decided to stop holding internal discussions on the coalition issue, but to make efforts to generate specific bills for reforming the regionally divided electoral system,’’ said a statement issued at the end of the workshop.

``We understand the president’s intention behind the proposal, but it is feared that our efforts for various reform measures could be marred by the proposal,’’ said Rep. Oh Young-sik, vice floor-leader of the party. ``We’ve agreed that wasting time arguing over the issue amid the deepening economic slump and widening income gap is not what the public expects from the ruling party.’’

According to party officials, a number of the party lawmakers opposed the president’s offer, claiming the recovery of the economy should be the top priority of the government and the ruling party during the workshop.

The two-day event was initially organized to decide party positions on outstanding issues to ensure smooth handling of them ahead of the opening of the regular National Assembly session on Sept. 1.

Some party lawmakers complained about the lack of discussions between Chong Wa Dae and the party before publicly offering the proposal during a closed-door session of the workshop, according to Rep. Moon Byung-ho of the ruling party.

Some others rebuffed the president’s remark that his low approval rating, which stood at 29 percent recently, was one of main reasons for proposing the plan.

However, the party’s chairman Moon Hee-sang, who served as Roh’s first chief of staff, stressed the need for the party to continue discussing the issue, saying, ``The coalition issue has already been initiated and we are destined to discuss it whether we like it or not.’’

Moon said the coalition issue should be used as a level to enhance the reform of domestic politics and overcome regional antagonism.

President Roh invited all ruling party lawmakers for a dinner held at the presidential office last night, explaining his determination to end the nation’s lingering regional rivalry.

The GNP and the minor opposition Democratic Party (DP) will hold similar overnight events at a resort in Hongchon, Kangwon Province, and in Muchu, North Cholla Province, respectively.

The Assembly session, also known as the budget session, will continue through Dec. 9, with a possible extension until the end of the year.

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