South Korea's rival parties failed to reach compromise over the controversial US beef imports deal Thursday, indicating further paralysis of the new parliament, according to Yonhap news agency.
Thursday's meeting between the liberal opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) and the ruling Grand National Party ended without progress, as the UDP held firm to its continuing boycott of the parliamentary session.
Protesters rally on a street leading to the US embassy and the presidential Blue House in central Seoul June 10, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
"We are sorry to have let down the public, which has been waiting for a good result," Cho Jeong-sik, spokesperson for the main opposition UDP, briefed the press after the meeting. "Further discussions (on normalization of the parliament) will be held after tomorrow's public hearing on the revision of the animal epidemic law."
In an apparent bid to coax its rival back into the parliament, the ruling Grand National Party softened its stance Tuesday, announcing it will participate in the public hearing on the revision slated for Friday.
Revision of the law would enable Seoul to legally ban imports of US beef from older cattle and other risky parts, which are deemed more vulnerable to mad cow disease.
The ruling party continued to press its rival to leave the street protests and return to the parliament for substantial discussions.
"The opening of the new Assembly has been delayed for two weeks now," said ruling party leader Kang Jae-sup. "The opposition party must remember that the public expects us to resume legislative activities, including finding measures to cope with soaring oil prices."
Three opposition parties have been boycotting the parliamentary session, instead joining nationwide street protests demanding complete renegotiation of the April 18 beef deal, which would almost fully reopen the country's market to US beef.
(Xinhua News Agency June 12, 2008)
