Korean National Assmebly

[Image story]
Howling, brawling lawmakers turned the National Assembly hall into a war zone yesterday to mark the end of this year's 100-day regular session. The circus, unusual even by the Assembly's usual decorum-challenged standards, was triggered by a bill to revise the law on private schools, legislation championed by the governing Uri Party and bitterly opposed by the opposition Grand Nationals.When a semblance of order returned and the dust had settled, the bill had been approved. But the Grand Nationals, after hours of pushing and shoving and physical struggles in which at least one lawmaker was reportedly injured, walked out of the Assembly and vowed to boycott it indefinitely.

[Bloggers View]
There's lots more, using words like "skirmish," "battlefield" and "Uri Party troops." The full report from the front can be read here.
Posted by Nomad in Korean Stuff Permalink

Comments

Some politicians had their aides prevent members of other parties from entering the National Assembly. It's totally despicable behavior. People with such blatant contempt for the democratic process of passing new laws do not deserve to be members of an elected government.
Posted by: Bubba

It looks bad, but this is a form of Phillibuster. As long as the opposing party does not let the platform to be taken, the session cannot happen and the law cannot pass.
Nobody throws punches. They just push and shove. There must be a school to teach these guys (gals too) how to do this "motions" without really hurting anyone.
It is Korean thing. Enjoy it. It is sort of fun to watch these grownup people behaving so childish. I think Kimchi has something to do with this Korean Dynamism.
Posted by: baduk

Korea...great fun for children of all ages!
Posted by: Mark

Baduk hit it right on the head. Fun to watch isn't it?
Posted by: Gar

How come our elected officials in the U.S. aren't this entertaining? Teddy can bring the kegs.
Posted by: Jenifer D.

True. It can be entertaining at times (it's like Korea's version of the WWE). Unfortunately, they are putting to waste all of the money and effort that was put into improving Korea's image abroad. What do you think will get more airtime? The fact that the "Sea of Japan" should be renamed? Or Korean National Assembly members kneeing eachother in the groin? Besides, it's one thing to make an ass of yourself while in session, and it's another to physically prevent members to enter the National Assembly.
Posted by: Bubba

True. It can be entertaining at times (it's like Korea's version of the WWE). Unfortunately, they are putting to waste all of the money and effort that was put into improving Korea's image abroad. What do you think will get more airtime? The fact that the "Sea of Japan" should be renamed? Or Korean National Assembly members kneeing eachother in the groin? Besides, it's one thing to make an ass of yourself while in session, and it's another to physically prevent members from entering the National Assembly.
Posted by: Bubba

Sorry, double post. Found a mistake at the last moment. Hit stop. Didn't realize it had already gone through.
Posted by: Bubba