Politics, South Korea-style

South Korean opposition party members try to break into a parliamentary committee room where the ruling Grand National Party was preparing to introduce a bill to ratify a trade pact with Washington. Scuffles and violence are not uncommon among South Korean legislators. (Ahn Jung-won / Yonhap)

Sept. 16, 2014 10:52 AM PT

In December, South Korean lawmakers tried to sledgehammer their way into a parliamentary meeting room barricaded by the ruling party as the National Assembly descended into chaos over a free-trade agreement with the United States.

South Korean opposition lawmakers are sprayed in the face with fire extinguishers as they break through a door to confront members of the ruling Grand National Party. (Kim Ju-seong / Yonhap)

Foam from fire extinguishers flies as opposition lawmakers attempt to enter the committee room. (Kim Ju-seong / Yonhap)

The behavior of South Korea’s lawmakers has led to some soul-searching in the country. (Ahn Jung-won / Yonhap)

Security guards restrain opposition lawmakers at the South Korean National Assembly in Seoul. (Ahn Jung-won / Yonhap)

Security officials struggle with opposition party members staging a sit-in at the National Assembly. (Ahn Young-joon / Associated Press)

Passions run high during a demonstration by South Korean lawmakers. (Ahn Young-joon / Associated Press)

Opposition lawmakers, foreground, block security officials with bookcases as the guards try to enter a hall at the National Assembly in Seoul. (Ahn Young-joon / Associated Press)