The main opposition Democratic Party agreed Thursday to end its boycott of parliament and handle next year’s budget and other urgent bills before year’s end, officials said.

DP floor leader Kim Jin-pyo reached the agreement in talks with his ruling Grand National Party (GNP) counterpart Hwang Woo-yea.

The sides agreed to call the National Assembly into an extraordinary session Monday and start working on the budget and other key bills, their spokesmen said.

The DP began boycotting parliament in protest after the GNP rammed through the disputed free trade agreement with the United States last month. The DP had demanded a revision to the trade deal, claiming it favors the U.S.

The boycott had raised concern the budget bill’s passage may be delayed until the last minute. 

(Yonhap News)