President Lee Myung-bak, center, talks with Lee Hoi-chang, chairman of the Liberty Forward Party, during a meeting at Cheong Wa Dae, Saturday. At right is Park Hee-tae, chairman of the governing Grand National Party. The main opposition Democratic Party boycotted the meeting, reiterating its demand that President Lee apologize for what it calls the political motivated investigation of former President Roh Moo-hyun that led to his suicide last month./ Korea Times |
By Do Je-hae
Staff Reporter
President Lee Myung-bak has expressed an intention to seek overarching changes in Korean politics, but declined to make an immediate elaboration on what he termed a ``fundamental remedy."
The remarks came in a meeting between Lee and leaders of the governing Grand National Party (GNP) and the Liberal Forward Party (LFP) at Cheong Wa Dae Saturday.
Chung Sey-kyun, chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP), boycotted the meeting, demanding that the President apologize for what the party calls the politically motivated investigation of former President Roh Moo-hyun's bribery allegations, which ended in his death on May 23.
Opposition lawmakers and even some reform-minded politicians within the governing party have made incessant calls on Cheong Wa Dae to declare a comprehensive overhaul of the administration, particularly through a Cabinet reshuffle.
However, the President said Saturday that he does not see a necessity in replacing some members of his Cabinet for the sole purpose of escaping the current political deadlock faced by his administration and the ruling party, especially following Roh's death.
During the meeting, President Lee conveyed the outcome of his first visit to the United States since President Barack Obama took office in January and explained the current state of Korea-U.S. relations and the free trade agreement signed between the two countries. But LFP Chairman Lee Hoi-chang turned the focus of the meeting to domestic issues.
``The Korean people are eager to learn what the President meant by the `fundamental remedy' from the radio address prior to the Korea-U.S. summit," the LFP leader said.
President Lee said, ``I do not agree with the view that a Cabinet reshuffle is necessary to divert attention from the current national crisis," referring to the nation's internal ideological and political division following Roh's death.
``I will announce specific measures to be included in the `fundamental remedy,' in due course. I have made careful deliberations about them for a long time," he added.
The DP called on the President to rethink this position that a Cabinet reshuffle is untimely.
``The Korean public is asking that the current administration display the will to terminate a faulty management of policies," Rep. Noh, Young-Min, DP spokesperson, told reporters.
That is why they are demanding that the government replace officials that are responsible for the divisive economic and North Korea policies as well as for political retaliation, Noh said.
In a similar vein, a reform-minded GNP faction consisting of junior lawmakers also pressed the government to make swift changes in the cabinet and presidential office.
``The proposed reshuffle should be conducted as a way of signaling the Lee administration's renewed commitment to a sensible management of state affairs and national unity," said Rep. Kwon Young-jin of the GNP group said.
Political analysts predict that the ``fundamental remedy" may include a constitutional amendment to reduce the power of the President by replacing the current five-year single-term presidency with two consecutive four-year terms.
National Assembly Speaker Kim Hyong-o and notable political figures such as former GNP Chairwoman Park Geun-hye have hinted in recent weeks that they are in favor of such an amendment.
Kim is expected to officially address the issue around Constitution Day, which falls on July 17.
Other measures reportedly to be included in the remedy are making legislative revisions to change the electoral system through enlarging electoral districts and redrawing administrative units.
President Lee is expected to make a TV address to the nation in the near future, where he will specify his comprehensive plans to revamp Korean politics.
jhdo@koreatimes.co.kr
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yistory@koreatimes.co.kr
