S.Korea's opposition ends Parliamentary occupation

SOUTH KOREA: Opposition lawmakers ended their violent, 12-day siege of South Korea's parliament Tuesday after blocking - for now - a U.S. free trade deal and other legislation.

Democratic Party legislators had occupied the National Assembly since Dec. 26, fending off security guards who tried to drag them out by force last week in scuffles that left nearly 100 people with minor injuries.

Party leader Rep. Chung Se-kyun said the parliamentary speaker assured him the ruling party would abandon its bid to ram through a raft of bills - including the free trade deal - by the end of the parliamentary session Thursday.

The ruling Grand National Party, which has 172 of the assembly's 299 seats, wanted to pass some 80 bills before the current session ends. But because of the opposition siege, the legislation will be on hold until a later parliamentary session, probably next month.

"We have safeguarded parliamentary democracy," said Chung, flanked by lawmakers in front of the hall.

Chung apologized to the nation for the violence. Last month, opposition lawmakers armed with sledgehammers pounded their way into a committee room where ruling party lawmakers were meeting.

"The Democratic Party hopes there won't be a situation where we cannot help but make this choice again," he said.

SEOUL, Tuesday, AP