Talks on constitutional revision may begin

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

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Wed, November 29, 2023 | 03:44

Politics

Talks on constitutional revision may begin

Posted : 2017-10-10 16:53

Updated : 2017-10-10 18:48

President Moon Jae-in talks with five key political and government leaders at Cheong Wa Dae, Tuesday. From left are Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon, Supreme Court Chief Justice Kim Meong-su, Moon, National Assembly Speaker Chung Sye-kyun, Constitutional Court acting President Kim Yi-su and National Election Commission Chairman Kim Yong-deok. / Yonhap

By Kim Rahn

President Moon Jae-in discussed the issue of revising the Constitution with five political and government leaders at Cheong Wa Dae, Tuesday, presidential aides said.

Moon had a meeting with the five leaders to discuss solutions to challenges they face. The five were Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon, National Assembly speaker Chung Sye-kyun, Supreme Court Chief Justice Kim Meong-su, Constitutional Court acting President Kim Yi-su and National Election Commission Chairman Kim Yong-deok.

Since his presidential campaign, Moon has pledged to push for a referendum on a constitutional revision to be held in June next year in tandem with local elections. The Assembly also formed a bipartisan committee in January to gather opinions from politicians, citizens and experts on the revision.

"Opinion polls show about two-thirds to three-quarters of citizens agree on the need for constitutional amendment," Chung said, adding almost all lawmakers consent to the need for the revision although they may have different opinions in detail on how to revise it according to which party they belong.

"During the presidential election campaign, all candidates, including Moon, agreed on the revision idea and the Assembly established a special committee for it in January. I hope the country can achieve the amendment this time."

In amending the three-decade-old Constitution, both ruling and opposition parties agree on limiting presidential powers, expanding fundamental human rights and bolstering local autonomy. But they differ about how to limit presidential powers and change the central government structure.

A constitutional revision requires at least two-thirds of the votes in the Assembly and then a majority vote in a referendum.

Moon also called for bipartisan cooperation on security issues.

"The situation is not good because the security risk is being created from outside, making it difficult for us to take a leading role in managing the risk," Moon said. "But even though it is an outside factor, we can overcome the risk if we are united internally.

"If a regular consultative body comprised of people from the ruling and opposition parties and the government is set up to share security-related information and seek cooperation, it will help unite people."

Moon rules out nomination of Constitutional Court chief

Meanwhile, Moon decided to have the Constitutional Court keep the acting chief system for the time being, after the Assembly earlier voted down the confirmation of his pick for the head position, current acting President Kim Yi-su.

"On Sept. 18, the justices of the court unanimously consented to retain the acting president system, so Cheong Wa Dae decided to do so," presidential spokesman Park Soo-hyun said.

The presidential office did not state until when the acting head system would continue, but it is likely to be until next Sept. 19 when Kim Yi-su's six-year term ends.

The court's leadership has been vacant since former head Park Han-chul retired in January.

In a separate meeting with his staff, Moon urged the government to speed up social reforms and measures to boost the economy, including efforts to eradicate the "deep-rooted evils" of society, which was his campaign pledge.

Conservative opposition parties, which made up the ruling bloc during the former Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye administrations, have called Moon's drive "political retaliation."

"Reforms and such efforts are not political retaliation but are a move to reform improper practices that have accumulated for decades in all sectors of society including law enforcement and the economy, to make a just Korea," Moon said. "It will also help boost national competitiveness."

rahnita@ktimes.com