National Assembly's Committee on National Integration Proposes "Drafting Constitutional Amendment in Regular Session for Referendum"

"Considering the Abuses of the Imperial Presidency"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] A committee directly under the Speaker of the National Assembly has proposed that the ruling and opposition parties form a special committee on constitutional amendment to draft a constitutional amendment by early December and then submit it to a national referendum. The proposal includes tasks such as restructuring the power concentrated in the presidency. While ruling party presidential candidates are generally positive about the amendment, conservative opposition candidates have divided opinions.

On the 7th, Yoo In-tae, chairman of the Political Subcommittee of the National Assembly's National Integration Committee, held a press conference to announce the results of discussions over the past seven months and stated, "We propose that the ruling and opposition parties promptly form a 'Special Committee on Constitutional Amendment and Political Reform' to begin discussions."

He added, "The special committee on constitutional affairs should complete the improvement of the power structure and electoral system reform in a way that can contribute to easing conflicts and uniting the people through bipartisan agreement before the end of this year's regular session of the National Assembly, and ensure that the agreed constitutional amendment is submitted to a national referendum." The regular session ends on December 9, and if the amendment is prepared by then, the referendum can be held simultaneously with the presidential election on March 9 next year.

The Political Subcommittee included Chairman Yoo, former Minsheng Party lawmaker Lee Sang-don, Jeong Byeong-guk, head of the People Power Party's Talent Recruitment Committee, Kim Jin-guk, senior reporter at JoongAng Ilbo, Sung Han-yong, senior reporter at The Hankyoreh, Professor Park Myung-rim of Yonsei University, and Professor Im Ji-bong of Sogang University, representing both progressive and conservative perspectives.

Chairman Yoo stated, "Considering the drawbacks of the imperial presidency, we must pursue restructuring of the power system and institutional improvements." He also viewed the current single-member district system, which elects only one person per electoral district, as causing a discrepancy between vote share and seat allocation, solidifying the two-party system and making integrative politics difficult.

In the political sphere, alternatives such as a decentralized presidential system with a four-year renewable term or reform of the multi-member district system have been discussed. Among the Democratic Party candidates, former leader Lee Nak-yeon is proactive. He pledged to change the presidency from a single five-year term to a four-year renewable term if elected and expressed the need to consider introducing a vice-presidential system. Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung emphasizes a constitutional amendment guaranteeing three major local autonomy rights: legislative, financial, and organizational, agreeing with the intent of power decentralization.

Among People Power Party candidates, Representative Hong Joon-pyo has pledged a four-year renewable presidential term, but suggested the timing be after the 2024 general election. On the other hand, former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl expressed agreement during a meeting with Professor Choi Jang-jip, Professor Emeritus at Korea University, in July, stating, "I agree with the professor's point that if the prime minister's role within the constitutional framework is guaranteed, the cabinet's decision-making power will increase, naturally transferring authority from the Blue House."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.