Protesting lawmakers scuffle with guards

Updated: 2009-01-05 10:31

(Chinadaily.com.cn)

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South Korean opposition lawmakers and security guards scuffled Saturday as authorities tried to clear the legislators from parliament, where they have been camped out for nine days in a standoff with President Lee Myung-bak's ruling party.

The ruling Grand National Party, which has 172 seats in the 299-seat assembly compared to the Democrats' 82, wants to pass some 80 bills before the current session ends January 8 - including the free trade pact signed last year.

The opposition says the pact should not be approved until Lee's government provides better measures to protect farmers and others who are expected to suffer from a surge in imports from the US.

Violence is not uncommon at South Korea's National Assembly. Last month, opposition lawmakers used sledgehammers to pound their way into a committee room where ruling party lawmakers were meeting to introduce the bill to ratify the US free trade pact.

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