By Jung Sung-ki
Staff Reporter
President Roh Moo-hyun Tuesday called for amending the Constitution to introduce a parliamentary system of government, a runoff election in the presidential race and a change in National Assembly elections.
In an article posted on the Website of Cheong Wa Dae, Roh also called for limiting of presidential amnesties and the privilege of exemption from liability for lawmakers in speeches at the National Assembly.
The parliamentary system of government can minimize conflicts between the government and parliament and prevent a lame duck presidency, Roh said.
Roh wrote the article on the occasion of the 59th Constitution Day, which marks the last legal holiday this year.
He reiterated the need for revising election-related laws to allow the President to engage in election campaigns, defying calls from the nation's election watchdog for him to stay neutral in politics.
Roh said if a broad debate on constitutional reform takes place, whether the nation should adopt the parliamentary system is one option that can be discussed.
He then stressed the need to overhaul the parliamentary electoral system to resolve regionalism-based politics, which he said was ruining the country.
In the 2004 elections, the Grand National Party won 52. 3 percent of eligible votes in the Gyeongsang provinces but captured 60 of 66 seats available there. The Uri Party, meanwhile, won 32 percent of the votes in the Gyeongsang region, but garnered only four seats, he said.
The ruling camp has called for the election of two or more lawmakers from each district to replace the current system of electing one legislator.
``It is necessary for the president to offer his opinions in a responsible manner on controversial issues on national affairs, particularly during an election period.
``It is in the interest of the people that different political groups compete with each other in a fair manner,'' Roh said. ``If state affairs are an issue, it's natural for the president to be allowed to give his opinions about them.''
In June, the National Election Commission (NEC) twice ruled that Roh's comments in public forums on presidential hopefuls from the main opposition Grand National Party violated the Election Law, citing a provision that bans public officials from engaging in political activity that could influence elections.
However, Roh rejected the ruling and subsequently filed a petition with the Constitutional Court over the NEC rulings. The court is scheduled to announce its review of the petition before July 22.