Parliamentary speaker backs controversial hearings bill

South Korea's parliamentary speaker Chung Ui-hwa on Wednesday expressed support for a new bill that allows the National Assembly to open hearings more often, adding the government's protest against the move conflicts with the principle of democracy.

Chung made the remark during his last meeting with reporters.

He is set to step down after serving for two years as the 20th National Assembly will kick off Monday.

The speaker, who in recent months has locked horns with the presidential office and some elements of the ruling Saenuri Party, has been instrumental in getting the controversial bill up for a vote despite objections raised.

"We need to change the consensus among the public sector, which still remains in the authoritarian era," Chung said, referring to the latest debate surrounding the hearings bill. "The time in which power ruled over the people has ended long ago."

Chung then argued that holding hearings on state affairs is a duty of the National Assembly as stated in the Constitution.

"It is the responsibility of the parliament to ease the public's concerns by providing solutions and answers to social issues," the lawmaker said.

"I believe the presidential office will not veto the bill, as it would be better for the president to leave the parliamentary matter to the National Assembly," he added.

Chung also criticized the political realm.

"Politicians are currently incapable and idle, failing to suggest solutions to problems and remain locked in their regional and ideological biases," the speaker said.

Chung, meanwhile, remained open to his future prospects, adding he may not return to the Saenuri Party.

The government and the presidential office, meanwhile, stressed that the bill if made into law will effectively paralyze the executive branch because the opposition, which controls the 300-strong National Assembly, will call for hearings indiscriminately.

"Judging by South Korea's extremely partisan political landscape that is not used to making compromises, there is every reason to fear that hearings will be abused by the opposition," a Saenuri insider said.

Reflecting such concerns there are growing calls within the ruling camp that President Park Geun-hye should just veto the hearings bill, which is her prerogative.

They also lashed out at Chung for having "ulterior political motives," claiming he intentionally disregarded the wishes of the party on the hearings bill so he can ingratiate himself with the opposition. (Yonhap)