The DP Plans to slow the Korean-US Free Trade Agreement

[rpannier]

The ruling Grand National Party (GNP) has initiated procedures to pass a South Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA) ratification bill through the National Assembly. This move has reportedly been based on the impetus of the recent U.S. Congress’s ratification of the KORUS FTA. A hard journey is expected for the bill, however, based on the fact that the Democratic Party and other opposition parties regard the passing of the ratification bill as a question of identity that provides the key to a unified opposition.

The GNP’s official plan is to have the bill passed by the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs, Trade and Unification Committee (FATUC) by Oct. 18, then by the full assembly by Oct. 28. Internally, the party plans to pass the bill through its own standing committee by that time. The GNP’s plan is to create the appearance that the bill will be passed, even if late, either together with the opposition or with the opposition’s implicit consent. 　

snip

The DP, however, held an emergency meeting of its Supreme Council on Wednesday night, when news broke that Congress had passed the FTA law in the U.S. The DP decided to forge a working relationship with the Korean Alliance against the KorUS FTA (KoA). It urgently sent DP Supreme Council member Chung Dong-young, a hardline opponent of the FTA, and other lawmakers whose constituencies encompass agricultural regions, to the FATUC. They let the GNP know of their intention to block any attempt to railroad the bill, even if this meant physically preventing it from taking place.

“Congress’s passing of the ratification bill in the U.S. has effectively made further renegotiation impossible,” said DP floor leader Kim Jin-pyo, meeting a Hankyoreh reporter. “Now all that remains is the choice whether to pass the ratification bill or not. In this situation, all we can do is pick out items such as measures to limit damage suffered by those working in agriculture, fishing and livestock, as well as small and medium traders, and negotiate them one by one.”

link:
http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_business/500777.html

on edit: The DP is the Democratic Party of Korea. They are the opposition to the ruling Grand National Party (GNP) in the National Assembly

[JDPriestly]

1. That's good news. This agreement would be disastrous for our environment

and theirs.

[rpannier]

2. One of the arguments made by its supporters in the states is the Koreans will be driving US made car

Most Koreans here know if you buy a foreign made vehicle you have a 99.99999999999999% of being audited.
It's not a law, it's just (ahem) unfortunate luck

[JDPriestly]

3. It's a giveaway to international corporations. That is all.

Our leaders are just traitors in the economic battle in which we are now engaged -- traitors all. And they know it. What is more, they are betraying the US for their personal profit.

[pampango]

4. Aljazeera: South Korean opposition resists US trade pact

Democratic Party seeks to block ratification of the accord on the grounds that it is a "one-sided" deal.

The ruling Grand National Party (GNP) urged opposition legislators on Thursday to swiftly approve the long-delayed agreement but the Democratic Party (DP) says the pact is one-sided. The GNP was negotiating with the opposition to try to pass the deal along with 14 related bills this month.

The GNP has an overwhelming majority in the legislature. But with a general election next April, it has been reluctant to pass the legislation through the house and ignite a televised repetition of past scuffles.

Resource-poor South Korea, whose economy is powered by exports ranging from ships to semiconductors, has aggressively pursued free trade accords. Seven are in effect, including deals with the European Union, India and Southeast Asia.

The US-South Korea deal was signed in June 2007, but was partially renegotiated last year to give US car manufacturers greater access. The DP, which was in office in 2007, says the revision tilted the agreement in favour of Washington and wants renegotiation.

http://english.aljazeera.net//news/asia-pacific/2011/10/2011101362113107304.html

[rpannier]

8. Yes past scuffles

One of the greatest laws to come out of the end of the coup lead government was the Podium Rule
It gives a new meaning to Legislative Battle

[MadHound]

5. Let's hope they have more integrity than our own Congress,

For once again, we've been sold down the free trade river.

[pampango]

6. We'll see. They did approve the South Korea-EU FTA.

It went into effect July 1, 2011. South Korea does more trade with the EU (and China) than it does with the US.

[rpannier]

7. But the deal with the EU is less damaging to domestic farming

In addition, the US-Korea FTA makes provincial and local laws subservient to the agreement here in Korea
In the US, state laws trump the agreement
That has been one of the major bones of contention over here