S. Korean lawmakers to call extra parliamentary session

South Korean lawmakers agreed Thursday to call an extraordinary parliamentary session, as the opposition ended their boycott of parliament, local media reported. The ruling Grand National Party and the main opposition Democratic Party reached an agreement one day before the current regular session ends Friday. The Democrats have been protesting the passage of a free trade agreement with the United States. The ruling party, which holds a comfortable parliamentary majority, rammed through the long- stalled bill in November despite fierce opposition resistance. During the extra session, lawmakers are expected to deliberate on the country's 2012 spending plan and other bills. The opposition wants to cut the budget earmarked for controversial construction project initiated by President Lee Myung-bak and his governing party.