Call for Revision of Constitution, Introduction of Parliamentary Cabinet System

Now that the ruling Millennium Democratic Party (MDP) has been split into two, there are moves within political circles to call for revision of the Constitution to introduce the parliamentary cabinet system.

Revision of the Constitution for the parliamentary cabinet system, which is closely related to each political party`s interest, is likely to emerge as the most important point in dispute in next parliamentary election.

Advocates of a constitutional revision are mainly heavyweights from the opposition Grand National Party (GNP). However, even some MDP members support that. Meanwhile, young GNP members are opposed to the idea openly.

Meeting with reporters on September 17, Rep. Hong Sa-duk, floor leader of the GNP, hinted at the revision of the Constitution, suggesting consideration of a constitutional revision for the parliamentary cabinet system to eradicate regionalism.

Rep. Kim Sang-hyun of the MDP also raised the possibility of revision of the Constitution, telling reporters on September 19 that there are already enough GNP and MDP members to revise the Constitution and that if the leadership of President Roh Moo-hyun is unstable, the nation can adopt the parliamentary cabinet system through revision of the Constitution.

Though GNP chairman Choe Byung-yul is contending that the constitutional revision is too premature, former chairman Suh Chung-won and former secretary general Kim Young-il are vigorously making their case for the revision.

During a debate session, organized by TV reporters on August 28, Speaker Park Kwan-yong said, ˝If the president`s management of state affairs does not win recognition from the people, the nation can go into the parliamentary cabinet system in two to three years.˝

Meanwhile, Rep. Oh Se-hoon showed opposition to the revision on September 21, saying that there is only a short time before the election next year, so moves to revise the Constitution could backfire, rather giving momentum to the new party formed by reformist former MDP members.

United Liberal Democrats chairman Kim Jong-pil also plans to make his case for the parliamentary cabinet system in the next election campaign.

Appearing on a radio program, conscious of the current political moves, Rep. Cheon Jung-bae of the New Party for National Participatory Union, seemed to guard against political alliance between the MDP and the GNP for revision of the Constitution for the parliamentary cabinet system.

When more than half of the total 272 lawmakers approve, a bill to revise the Constitution can be initiated. And when two thirds of them vote for the bill, it will pass through the National Assembly. Therefore, the GNP, which currently has a total of 149 seats, can pass the bill through the Assembly with additional 33 votes.

Yeon-Wook Jung jyw11@donga.com