S Korean assembly in uproar

The two Korean leaders met for the first time in June

By Seoul correspondent Caroline Gluck

South Korea's national assembly has been suspended as politicians clashed over the government's rapprochement policy towards North Korea.

There were angry scenes after a member of the opposition accused President Kim Dae-jung's ruling party of acting like a subsidiary of North Korea's Communist Workers' Party.

Kim Dae-jung: Keen to end hostilities on the peninsula

While Seoul's policy of rapprochement towards North Korea has been warmly welcomed overseas, it is coming under increasing scrutiny in South Korea.

Many in the South are criticising the extent of the government's economic aid to the north, which is expected to reach around $560m this year.

The opposition has increased as newspapers here are full of economic gloom, with latest news of company liquidations and rising unemployment.

Uproar

Until recently, the opposition Grand National Party had been one of the most outspoken critics of President Kim's ''sunshine policy'', aimed at constructively engaging the north.

Kim Jong-ill: Ending years of international isolation

But since the historic summit in June, the party has moderated its position, calling instead for the need to maintain reciprocity in dealing with North Korea.

However, during the debate on the pace of inter-Korean relations opposition MP Kim Yong-kap accused President Kim's ruling Millennium Democratic Party (MDP) of being a subsidiary of North Korea's Workers' Party.

He said he opposed government plans to amend the National Security Law, which he said was part of Pyongyang's strategy to place South Korean society under North Korean leader Kim Jong-il's control.

His comments and his refusal to retract them created uproar in the assembly, which has now been suspended. But the MP has so far refused to withdraw his remarks or issue an apology.