GNP Leader Calls for End to Third-Rate Politics

Rep. Chung Mong-joon
GNP Chairman

By Lee Tae-hoon
Staff Reporter

The leader of the governing Grand National Party (GNP) Friday proposed a constitutional amendment as a solution for the political wrangling between rival parties.

"Politicians fight in groups throughout the year at the National Assembly, which has gained them notoriety worldwide," GNP Chairman Chung Mong-joon said in his New Year's news conference at party headquarters in Seoul.

"People can no longer tolerate third-rate politics. Now is the time to change the system."

The six-term lawmaker attributed destructive confrontations at the Assembly to part of the basic law.

He said the current Constitution cannot meet the demands of the times as the country is set to join the ranks of advanced nations.

"It's been more than 20 years since the Constitution was last revised in 1987," he said.

The businessman-turned-politician pointed out that Korea should seek a new basic law that ensures the sharing of power.

"We must begin discussions on constitutional revision in order to resolve the concentration of power."

Chung said parliamentary endorsements of the amendment can be made in February 2011 if legislators start deliberations now.

In August 2009, a parliamentary advisory committee proposed either changing Korea's Assembly into a bicameral legislature, or its single five-year presidency into a U.S.-style four-year one allowing re-election for a second term.

Since its creation in 1948, the Constitution has been revised nine times.

The latest revision was made in 1987 as former President Roh Tae-woo, who was handpicked by his predecessor, Chun Doo-hwan, as his successor, accepted the opposition's demand for the introduction of direct presidential voting.

The current single-term, five-year presidency was adopted as Chun took power in a coup in December 1980, following the assassination of President Park Chung-hee in October 1979.

leeth@koreatimes.co.kr

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