Amending the Constitution

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Now that parliament has voted to impeach President Park Geun-hye, there are growing calls among lawmakers to amend the constitution to determine what shape the Korean government will take in the future. Here’s more.

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Former opposition party leader SohnHak-kyu has announced he will set up a political body to push for constitutional amendment. He also criticized those calling to hold a presidential election based on the current system as owning vested rights.

[Soundbite] SohnHak-kyu(Former Chair of Main Opposition Party) : "Some people claim that calls for amendment contain ulterior motives. They should be more honest. Isn't it really because talk on amendment hurts their presidential prospects?"

Former National Assembly Speaker Chung Ui-hwa has also stressed there is sufficient time to revise the Constitution.

[Soundbite] Chung Ui-hwa(Ex-Assembly Speaker) : "If time is short, we can focus solely on the amendment at present while the president-elect can take care of the other details through campaign pledges."

The ruling Saenuri Party is set to announce by this month a unified proposal on the amendment through a party task force dedicated to the issue. Members of the main opposition The MinjooParty of Korea are also urging discussions to begin on constitutional reform.

[Soundbite] Park Wan-joo(The Minjoo Party of Korea) : "Many lawmakers of the previous 19th Assembly supported the amendment as well as 70% of the public. It is necessary in order to eradicate Korea's deep-rooted chronic malaise."

Former minor opposition People's Party chairman AhnCheol-soo have also joined the call for amendment. Amid increasing calls for constitutional revision, anticipation is rising on a special parliament committee on the revision which will launch in the new year.