Differences over how severely South Korea should response to North Korea's nuclear test prevented a parliamentary resolution from being drafted on Wednesday.
Lawmakers from the ruling Uri Party and the opposition Grand National Party (GNP) clashed over whether to include the Kaesong industrial park and Mount Geumgang tours in the resolution.
The two projects are considered the crowning achievements of inter-Korean cooperation after a landmark summit in 2000 between the two Korean leaders.
"There was detailed discussion on this matter but the difference in views made it hard to reach an understanding," said Rep. Kim Won-wung, the chairman of parliament's Unification, Foreign Affairs and Trade Committee. Unless such gaps can be bridged, there will be no formal resolution by the National Assembly on this issue, he added.
The lawmakers released a statement by the National Defense Committee on Monday condemning North Korea's nuclear test, one day after the communist state announced it had gone ahead as planned.
Uri lawmakers said that a strongly worded message reflecting the resolve of the South Korean government would be sufficient as a follow-up. They said including specific action plans could be counter-productive in securing a peaceful resolution to future talks.
The GNP said a written condemnation at the level of the National Assembly would be insufficient and pushed to outline specific penalties.
"The Kaesong industrial part and Mount Geumgang tours allowed 10 trillion won (US$10.4 billion) worth of funds into North Korea, and there is no assurance this was not diverted for military purposes," said Kim Hyong-o, floor leader for the GNP. All economic support for the communist regime must be put on hold unless it gives up its nuclear ambitions, he said.
Seoul, Oct. 11 (Yonhap News)
Lawmakers fail to agree on resolution condemning N. Korea nuclear test |
