8 in 10 lawmakers back constitutional revision

By Jun Ji-hye

Eight out of 10 lawmakers in the National Assembly support the idea of revising the Constitution to change the current presidential system, according to a survey, Sunday.

In the survey, conducted by the Yonhap News Agency on all 300 lawmakers, 250 lawmakers, or 83.3 percent, said that they see a necessity to amend the Constitution.

By parties, 77 percent of the ruling Saenuri Party lawmakers, 86.9 percent from the main opposition Minjoo Party of Korea (MPK) and 92.1 percent from the minor opposition People’s Party wanted a revision.

The results come amid a heated debate about a constitutional revision after new Assembly Speaker Chung Sye-kyun said during a speech, marking the opening of the 20th parliament on June 13, that the nation’s current presidential system, introduced in 1987, should undergo changes.

The overwhelming support from the rival parties can be taken as an indication of an increasing chance for the Constitution to be revised during the four-year tenure of the 20th Assembly ― the revision can be proposed by more than half the lawmakers in the Assembly and passed by two-thirds of ballots in a floor vote. If passed by parliament, a referendum has to be conducted within 30 days for final approval.

However, opinions vary regarding how to change the system, hinting that politicians could engage in fierce debate until they are able to produce an agreed upon measure. Because of this, uncertainty has been raised about whether the Constitution can be successfully revised.

Among those who agreed with the revision, 46.8 percent called for changing the current five-year, single-term presidential term to a four-year, two-term presidency.

Those who support this measure say that it would ensure continuity of the administration’s management and give the public a chance to make an interim evaluation.

On the other hand, 24.4 percent chose a measure to introduce a “semi-presidential” system to replace the present one, while 14 percent preferred a parliamentary system.

The semi-presidential system has the president being responsible for foreign and national security affairs, and the prime minister, elected by the Assembly, being in charge of domestic affairs. This is cited as a compromise between the presidential and the parliamentary system.

Those who support this model believe that it would reduce the president’s “imperial” power.

The fact that leading presidential hopefuls expected to run in the election next year hold different opinions has also raised uncertainty over whether the Assembly can actually achieve a revision.

Former MPK Chairman Moon Jae-in supports the introduction of a four-year, two-term presidency, while former ruling party Chairman Kim Moo-sung is an advocate for the semi-presidential system.

Opinions about when to push for the revision were also conflicting ― 47.6 percent said the revision should be finished before the presidential election begins in December next year, while 41.2 percent said presidential candidates need to present their own measures for revising the Constitution in their election pledges, and the next government should push for it after the next president is sworn in.