Rival presidential contenders step up political reform drives

Korea's leading presidential contenders of the ruling and opposition camps stepped up their political reform drives Tuesday by announcing separate plans to root out corruption and abuses of power among politicians, a key election issue ahead of the Dec. 19 poll.

Public calls have grown for politicians to surrender their various privileges and care for the concerns of the people amid a string of corruption scandals that have involved lawmakers and other high-profile political figures.

In a news conference at party headquarters, Park Geun-hye of the conservative Saenuri Party said her plan for political reform included a possible revision of the Constitution.

"I will push for a constitutional amendment after taking office, which will include allowing the president to serve two four-year terms and strengthening the people's basic rights," said the 60-year-old candidate.

Currently, South Korean presidents are elected for a single five-year term but calls have been mounting for a revision to the Constitution to allow them to serve two four-year terms.

Park indicated, however, that she would not discuss the issue at present, saying it would be inappropriate to approach it with political motivations ahead of the election.

On the controversial nomination system of candidates for public office and parliament, Park vowed to turn it into a fair and transparent process with more participation from the public. Until now, candidates were generally picked by political party and its leadership.

"I will enact a law by which the ruling and opposition parties will simultaneously conduct referenda to select candidates for parliament," she said. "Regarding the nomination of candidates for proportional representative seats, I will remove all secret nominations."

The five-term lawmaker also said there is a need to deal with corruption that has played a role in eroding peoples' confidence of public officials. Many officials from both the ruling and opposition parties, including some with close ties to Park, have been accused of illegal activities, while many relatives of past presidents went to jail because they abused their connections.

She said measures will be taken to create an office that can have investigative powers to keep close tabs on relatives of the president and close aides.

Moon, the 59-year-old contender for the main Democratic United Party (DUP), said if he becomes president, his political reform programs will be focused on breaking up the powers of the central party organization.

Under that plan, the party organization would hand over its nomination rights to the party's local chapters in each city and province.

"By separating powers, we can create a democratic party," the former human rights lawyer said, adding that such a system would allow the central party organization to concentrate more on making policies that can benefit the country.

Moon's announcement came hours before he was scheduled to meet Ahn to discuss possible ways to unify their candidacies, their first such meeting. An agreement to merge bids would boost the liberal camp's chances against Park of the ruling party.

Independent liberal candidate Ahn Cheol-soo, meanwhile, attended the launch ceremony of his 24-member political advisory group, which includes former ministers and vice ministers.

"I will respond to the call of the people with politics that solves problems, not one that creates them," he said.

The 50-year-old former software entrepreneur who poses a serious challenge to both Park and Moon has played a role in highlighting the importance of political reforms and change. (Yonhap)