Full parliamentary session postponed amid bipartisan row over ferry bill

A plenary session of the National Assembly closed nine minutes after opening Friday as rival political parties failed to resolve the ongoing dispute over a controversial bill aimed at determining the truth behind April's deadly ferry sinking.

The session, convened by National Assembly Speaker Chung Ui-hwa, had been aimed at passing some 90 bills and proposals that have been stuck in parliament amid wrangling between the rival parties. However, only 153 lawmakers of the ruling Saenuri Party attended the session amid a boycott by the No. 1 opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD).

The dispute centers on a bill that calls for an independent investigation into the sinking of the ferry Sewol on April 16, which left more than 300 people dead or missing. Critics have argued that the government's poor initial response to the disaster contributed to the high death toll.

The main opposition party, which has spoken on behalf of the victims' families, has demanded the creation of an ad hoc investigative committee with the power to investigate and indict those responsible for the tragedy.

President Park Geun-hye and the ruling party, however, have rejected the demand on the grounds that it could undermine the nation's judicial system.

"I opened a plenary session, honoring the stern command of the people to stop fighting and handle issues related to the public's livelihoods, which have been building up," Chung said as he opened Friday's session at the National Assembly. "However, as the speaker, I also have to take into consideration the smooth running of the regular parliamentary session."

With more than half of the 300 National Assembly members present, the ruling party on its own made up the necessary quorum to pass all bills. Chung, however, urged the ruling party to consider the pile of tasks ahead of them, including passing next year's budget bill.

"I plan to reconvene a plenary session on (Tuesday), trusting the sincerity of the opposition party's request to delay it by a few days," Chung said. "In any event, I will convene a full session on (Tuesday) and handle all motions."

Ruling party floor leader Lee One-koo, who has led bipartisan negotiations over the ferry bill with his NPAD counterpart Park Young-sun, offered to resign over the delayed passage of the bills.

"I did my best, but I will take political responsibility for this situation and step down from the post of floor leader," he said.

Saenuri Chairman Kim Moo-sung proposed that the party turn down his offer, saying he understands the heavy responsibility Lee feels but stepping down would go against his duty to the people.

Other ruling party lawmakers agreed with applause. (Yonhap)