Political parties flip-flop over US-SK FTA
Hankyoreh, Korea
Political parties flip-flop over U.S.-S.K. FTA
With presidential elections looming, no strong stance on free trade deal
20 September 2006
Regarding the proposed South Korea-U.S. free trade agreement (FTA), the true "stance" of the nation’s two main political parties seems to be, "if it succeeds, we are for it. If it fails, we are against it".
At a press conference held earlier this month, the ruling Uri Party floor leader Kim Han-gill said, "In connection with the Seoul-Washington FTA, it is good for the party to decide the party platform when the negotiations are concluded."
The Uri Party committee related to the FTA stopped discussions on establishing its position on the FTA at the end of July, as the issue was too much of a "hot potato." The Uri committee handed the task of deciding its platform on the FTA to Rep. Kim at the beginning of August.
The official party platform of the main opposition Grand National Party (GNP) is, "We will proceed with the FTA negotiations, but will approach them cautiously" The GNP, however, has decided not to take initiative on the FTA one way or the other. A GNP lawmaker who takes part in the National Assembly’s special committee to deal with FTA issues said, "To speak frankly, the GNP’s position is, "It’s good if succeeds and it’s bad if fails", adding, "We don’t have to express our views [despite political pressure to do so]."
The reason why the two parties hesitate in forming a strong position on the proposed free trade deal is the presidential election slated for December of 2007. The FTA negotiations between South Korea and the United States will be completed in March next year, and if the FTA is agreed upon the Assembly would ratify it by June. It is highly possible that taking credit for a successful FTA will become an election issue.
Rep. Song Young-gil of the Uri Party has declared, "Even though I will fail during the 18th general elections, I will achieve this goal," referring to getting the FTA signed. Fellow Uri Party lawmaker Im Jong-seok urged opposition forces to change their cautious tune for the sake of "Korea’s economic takeoff."
The governing party is already divided. Legislators including Song Young-gil and Im Jong-seok support the FTA, while Assemblymen such as You Seung-hee and Im Jong-in are against it, as well as Kim Tae-hong, who has filed a suit to the Constitutional Court regarding the government’s pursuit of the FTA.
Some GNP lawmakers have urged their party to clarify its position. At a workshop last month, Rep. Jeong Jae-ho of the GNP said, "What position has the GNP so far taken in discussions regarding the FTA? The party should clearly express its opinions." Rep. Nam Kyung-pil said, "The problems of the South Korea-U.S. FTA and the wartime operational command will be important issues at election time. Thus, regarding these matters, the party should establish a strategy."
