Park proposes constitutional revision

President Park Geun-hye proposes a constitutional revision to change the current five-year, single-term presidency during a speech at the National Assembly in Seoul, Monday. / Korea Times photo by Lee Ho-jae

President pledges to finish amendment by end of her term

By Kang Seung-woo

President Park Geun-hye proposed amending the Constitution, Monday, to change the current five-year, single-term presidency, saying the time was ripe to start relevant talks and she wanted to finish this before her term ends.

To push for the constitutional revision, she called for the National Assembly to form a special committee to discuss the issue.

“We have reached a point where we can no longer delay discussions on amending the Constitution, which was also one of my campaign pledges,” Park said during a speech at the Assembly on the 2017 budget.

“It is time that we put aside the 1987 Constitution and draw up a new one for the country to make a new leap forward. To complete the revision within my term in office, the government will begin working-level preparations today.”

Her presidency ends in February 2018.

The nation’s current system, introduced in 1987, has resulted in presidential terms being conducted in an imperial style and continues to contribute to endless political and social conflict, according to analysts.

As a result, there have been intensifying calls for a revision to change the system, whose primary aim was to prevent any president from attempting to hold onto power through illicit means.

Park stressed the need for a change in the current system, saying that it no longer works for the country.

“The single five-year presidency makes it difficult for the government to pursue consistent and sustainable policy goals. The system that has been effective for the last three decades since the last amendment in 1987 might be suited to the past democratization period, but it has now become a piece of clothing that no longer fits,” she said.

“With a political system in which we cannot move forward due to confrontation and division, we cannot expect a bright future for the country.”

The President also said that the change of government in South Korea every five years has made it difficult to pressure North Korea into renouncing its nuclear ambitions, and that frequent policy shifts have got in the way of economic leaders carrying out long-term, stable business initiatives.

Park’s proposal comes as there are growing calls for a constitutional revision from the people as well as lawmakers.

National Assembly Speaker Chung Sye-kyun has voiced support for the change, describing it as a “task that must be done,” while several members of the ruling Saenuri Party, including floor leader Chung Jin-suk, — despite Park’s previous opposition — have called for the revision.

Along with the political circles, a majority of Koreans are in favor of the constitutional amendment.

According to a public poll in June, nearly 70 percent of respondents said that they agree with the need to revise the fundamental principles that govern the country.

Into constitutional revision black hole

Her surprising proposal triggered mixed reactions from political parties. Park had strongly opposed the issue out of concerns that a constitutional revision would divert attention from her flagship policies at a time of economic slowdown that she described as an economic “black hole.”

Opposition parties questioned her sincerity on the issue, saying that it may be aimed at covering up allegations related to her longtime confidant Choi Soon-sil.

Due to mounting controversy regarding Choi, Park’s approval rating dipped to a record low of 25 percent last week.

However, Cheong Wa Dae rejected such speculation, saying that the prosecution investigation into the scandal will not be affected by her proposal.

“The President ordered preparations for the revision at the end of the Chuseok long weekend last month. Such claims are just undue concern,” Kim Jae-won, Park’s senior secretary for political affairs, said in a briefing.

A constitutional revision must be proposed by the President or by more than half of serving representatives in the National Assembly and passed by two-thirds of ballots in a floor vote. For final approval, a referendum has to be conducted within 30 days after the Assembly votes.

According to the presidential office, if necessary, the President plans to table a bill for the revision in the event of possible political disputes that may prevent her from meeting her deadline.

How to reorganize the nation’s governing structure has been a divisive issue here.

The best possible option is a second four-year term that would allow for a serving chief executive to be re-elected to a second term.

President Park also promised the system during her election campaign four years ago, but Cheong Wa Dae said nothing at all is decided.

“Although President Park held a positive view of the system, we are not considering any one thing at this point,” Kim said.

Some favor a semi-presidential system, under which the president is in charge of diplomacy, national defense and other external policies, while the prime minister deals with domestic affairs. Others support the adoption of a Japanese-style parliamentary Cabinet system.

Political analysts expect that it will take a long time to build consensus due to a split over the crucial issue among presidential hopefuls, who are figuring out which system would best aid their presidential ambitions.

Park would not be eligible for re-election, as the revision would not take effect until the next presidential administration as specified by the Constitution.