Thread: S. Korean politicians brawl over U.S. trade pact G.W.B

S. Korean politicians brawl over U.S. trade pact

Lawmakers use sledgehammers, electric saws in bid to block treaty



Members of South Korea's opposition Democratic Party try to force open their way into a committee room as political rivals, not seen in photo, spray them with fire extinguishers at the National Assembly in Seoul on Thursday.

updated 2 hours, 44 minutes ago
SEOUL, South Korea - Brawling South Korean lawmakers tried to sledgehammer their way into a parliamentary meeting room barricaded by the ruling party as the National Assembly descended into chaos Thursday over a free trade agreement with the United States.

Opposition parties were incensed by the ruling Grand National Party's move to submit the agreement to a committee on trade, setting in motion the process for the accord to win approval in the legislature.

Security staff and aides from the ruling party stood guard outside the room to keep opposition lawmakers away after the committee's GNP-affiliated chairman invoked his right to use force to "keep order" in parliamentary proceedings.

Scuffles broke out as dozens of opposition members and their aides attempted to push their way into the office. TV footage showed people from both sides shoving, pushing and shouting in a crowded hall at the National Assembly building amid a barrage of flashing cameras.

Opponents later used a sledgehammer and other construction tools to tear open the room's wooden doors, only to find barricades of furniture set up inside as a second line of defense.

Cable news channel YTN reported that an electric saw was used to open the door. YTN footage showed security guards spraying fire extinguishers at those trying to force their way inside and one man with blood trickling down his face.

'Clear violation of law'
The opposition attempt failed, and 10 GNP legislators introduced the bill to the committee.

"This is a clear violation of law," the main opposition Democratic Party said in a statement, accusing the GNP of illegally occupying the parliamentary chamber and unilaterally introducing the bill. "This is a declaration of war against the opposition and the people."

Clashes between lawmakers are not unusual in the National Assembly. Such violence has long been cited as one of the worst ills of South Korean politics.

South Korea and the United States signed the accord that calls for slashing tariffs and other barriers to trade in April last year after 10 months of tough negotiations, though neither side's legislature has yet ratified it — the key step needed for it to take effect.

The pact is the largest for the U.S. since the North American Free Trade Agreement with Canada and Mexico and the biggest ever for South Korea. NAFTA, signed in 1993, took effect the following year.

Security allies
Proponents in both countries say it would not only expand trade but further cement ties between Washington and Seoul — key security allies who have cooperated on issues such as North Korea for decades.

Opponents counter that it will cause pain to key sectors in both nations — agriculture in South Korea and automobiles in the United States.

GNP legislators had locked themselves in the committee room earlier in the day to head off any opposition attempts to occupy the chamber — the only place where the bill can be introduced.

After a subcommittee review, the bill would be put to a vote at the committee before reaching the full parliamentary session for a final vote.

The GNP says it aims to pass the bill by year's end. The party has a majority in both the committee and in the entire parliament, with 172 seats in the 298-member unicameral National Assembly. But the process is expected to be tough going because opposition parties say they will do whatever possible to stop it.

The Democratic Party says the trade deal should not be approved until the government comes up with better measures to protect farmers and others expected to suffer from increased U.S. imports.

The ruling GNP says the trade pact should be approved as early as possible because South Korea — a major exporting nation — stands to gain much from the deal.

Amid concern the administration of President-elect Barack Obama might ask to renegotiate the agreement, supporters of the pact believe early ratification by Seoul could also put pressure on the U.S. Congress to do the same.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28295945

50,000 South Koreans protest against U.S. beef

Demonstrators want the government to stop imports in fear of disease



South Korean protesters hold candles during a rally Saturday evening against the South Korean government's policy toward U.S. beef imports.

updated 2:06 p.m. ET, Sat., July. 5, 2008
SEOUL, South Korea - Tens of thousands of people demonstrated in South Korea's capital Saturday against U.S. beef imports, as a pro-government group staged a counter rally calling for an end to weeks of sometimes-violent protests.

Police estimated that 50,000 people jammed a plaza in front of Seoul's City Hall and an adjacent 14-lane boulevard, holding candles and anti-government signs. The protesters, including Catholic priests and Buddhist monks, sang songs and chanted slogans.

About 20,000 riot police were deployed around the site, but there were no immediate reports of clashes.

It was the second-largest rally in a series of near-daily protests held for the past two months prompted by concerns over the safety of American beef imports. A rally on June 10 drew a crowd estimated by police at about 80,000.

"Start renegotiation!" the protesters chanted, raising their candles to the sky. A large placard tied to balloons above them read "Complete renegotiation! Candles will prevail."

The demonstrators want an April agreement under which South Korea agreed to resume imports of U.S. beef rescinded and renegotiated.

Mad cow disease
The deal has sparked public outrage amid widespread perceptions, fanned in part by sensational media reports, that it exposes the country to a higher risk of mad cow disease.

The unrelenting demonstrations forced the government to negotiate an amendment to the deal with Washington last month to limit shipments to beef from younger cattle, which are believed less susceptible to mad cow disease.

The demonstrations dwindled in scale after the amendment, as violence during rallies drew criticism.

But they began drawing more people this week as religious leaders began joining them, saying they want to make sure the demonstrations are peaceful.

The government says a full renegotiation of the beef deal would hurt the country's international credibility.

The protesters are also denouncing other policies of President Lee Myung-bak, including his plan to privatize state corporations.

Lee, a conservative who took office in late February, apologized to the nation twice over his handling of the beef issue and replaced all his top advisers. He is now mulling sacking some Cabinet ministers.

Fear tactics?
Earlier Saturday, about 400 conservatives held a counter rally calling for an end to the anti-government protests.

"Stop illegal, violent candlelight demonstrations!" they shouted.

They accused their opponents of using fear of mad cow disease to undermine the conservative president.

Some demonstrators from the two opposing groups traded taunts as riot police stood between them to prevent any clashes. The pro-government demonstrators dispersed voluntarily after several hours.

U.S. beef went on sale last week for the first time under the latest import deal. But it is not widely available because large supermarket chains and most restaurants are reluctant to sell or serve it for fear of a public backlash.

Both the U.S. and South Korean governments insist U.S. beef is safe.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25542678/