By Kim Hyo-jin
The opposition parties raised questions about President Park Geun-hye’s proposal for a constitutional revision, Monday, linking it to growing power abuse scandals involving her confidants.
Remaining cautious of the President-led move, they postponed an answer to Park’s call to set up a special National Assembly committee to discuss the revision.
“She had previously made it taboo to even discuss this. Now that she’s put the issue forward, it is highly suspicious, especially if it is to cover up the corruption scandals involving her confidants, Choi Soon-sil and Woo Byung-woo,” Rep. Youn Kwan-suk, chief spokesman of main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) told reporters.
“We can’t just agree on a move that does not have clear intentions. The party will take its time, and develop a position through discussions with the public.”
“Though belated, we welcome that the President expressed her opinion on the constitutional revision,” said Rep. Son Kum-ju, chief spokesman of the minor opposition People’s Party.
“But the timing is all wrong. Anyone would question if she is seeking to shift public attention away from the power-related scandals.”
Their remarks came after Park proposed revising the Constitution, last amended in 1987, within the remainder of her presidency during a parliamentary speech earlier in the day.
The move was viewed as surprising as Park had stood firm against the idea until recently, saying that it could trigger an economic “black hole.”
The proposal came as the President’s approval ratings have hit a record low amid allegations that her longtime confidant Choi Soon-sil leveraged her relationship with Park to solicit massive donations from conglomerates to form two “non-profit” foundations.
Power-abuse scandals involving presidential secretary Woo Byung-woo have also eroded the approval rating, accelerating a possible lame duck period.
Expressing discontent with Park’s initiative, Rep. Choo Mi-ae, the DPK chairwoman, said, “The President should stay out of the constitutional revision.”
She claimed that Park’s intention was understood as a “plot to prolong her power.”
“It reminds us of her father Park Chung-hee’s constitutional revision aimed at enabling his third term as president,” she said.
Meanwhile, the ruling Saenuri Party hailed the proposal, calling it “timely-mannered.”
“Park’s proposal came out of a shared concern that the current Constitution cannot promote the future of the country. We now need to revise it in a way to reflect the social changes since 1987,” said party floor leader Rep. Chung Jin-suk.
Chung added the party will work on setting up a special parliamentary committee with the opposition.
Dismissing the DPK’s accusations, Saenuri Party Chairman Lee Jung-hyun said, “We should view the constitutional revision separately from political issues. It’s a national agenda item.”
“Park has not been opposed to the idea, even before she became president,” he added.