Political parties further divided over SK-US free trade deal
The Hankyoreh, Seoul
Political parties further divided over S.K.-U.S. free trade deal
Concerned about public opinion before presidential election, parties plagued by internal schism
27 March 2007
With a final deal regarding the Seoul-Washington free trade agreement (FTA) expected in less than a week, South Korean lawmakers are sharply divided along political and ideological lines over the proposed economic pact.
Representative Chun Jung-bae, former Uri Party member turned independent and former justice minister under the incumbent administration, launched a hunger strike on March 26, demanding an immediate end to what he called "half-baked" FTA negotiations. Former chairman of the ruling Uri Party Kim Geun-tae is expected to follow suit with a hunger strike of his own.
Even among rank-and-file lawmakers at the Uri Party, dissenting voices are being heard; some in favor, some against. Against this backdrop, the leadership of the main opposition Grand National Party (GNP), which has long supported the economic pact with Washington, remains cautious about how their stance on the issue could be politicized ahead of the upcoming December presidential elections, as polls suggest a nearly even split in public opinion on the FTA.
"So far during the negotiations, we have only made compromises, not gaining anything in return. It would be best to leave the deal to the next administration while focusing on thorough preparations and a process of consensus-building," said former justice minister Chun after starting his hunger strike. Chun also met with former Uri chair Kim, and they voiced their mutual opposition to the trade deal.
Kim, known for his strong opposition to the FTA, is to meet with other lawmakers to devise detailed action plans. Sources said that he might be joining Chun in a hunger strike. Kim once said the Seoul-Washington FTA would be achieved "over my dead body." Independent lawmaker Im Jong-in, who recently defected from the Uri Party, said that he would join the hunger strike against the deal on March 27. Moon Sung-hyun, chairman of the progressive minor opposition Democratic Labor Party, was on his 19th day of a hunger strike in front of the presidential office as of March 26.
Roh Hoe-chan, a lawmaker with the progressive minor opposition Democratic Labor Party, also cried foul over the ongoing FTA talks, demanding a parliamentary investigation into the proceedings. However, to launch such an investigation would require one-fourth of parliamentary membership approval.
Roh also urged Chun and Kim to take part in his moves, which, if agreed upon, would result in cross-party action against the trade deal.
Prime minister-designate Han Duck-soo, a well-known FTA proponent, is expected to be grilled regarding his stance on the economic deal at his confirmation hearing to be held this week. His confirmation could also depend mainly on how lawmakers view his opinions on the FTA.
Meanwhile, the leadership of the Uri Party seems to be distancing itself from Chun’s and Kim’s demands for an immediate halt of the ongoing free trade talks, as in recent press conferences top party members have said that Chun and Kim are putting their personal interest ahead of national benefit.
However, rank-and-file members of the ruling camp are sharply divided over the issue. Most lawmakers that object to the FTA have constituencies in rural cities, whose residents think the economic deal would devastate their livelihood by opening the gate for cheaper agricultural products from the U.S.
The Grand National Party’s presidential hopefuls, including former Seoul mayor Lee Myung-bak and former GNP chairwoman Park Geun-hye, have all expressed support for the FTA. However, when it comes to the other members of GNP, a closer look reveals their uncomfortable stance toward the deal, inside sources say, as the party cannot risk losing any voters ahead of the upcoming presidential election in December.
Jeon Jae-hee, chief policymaker of the GNP, said that "we are in for the FTA, but with complimentary measures attached to buffer the industries that will be most affected by the deal. However, it is not likely that we will come up with unified positions among members on the issue, due to the fact that representatives from rural regions in particular oppose it."
"If we endorse the deal, it would prompt criticism from farmers. If we oppose it, it would draw attacks from conservatives," a GNP lawmaker said on condition of anonymity.
