Cheong Wa Dae Likely to Delay Revision of Constitutional Amendment

Cheong Wa Dae conditionally accepted on Wednesday a request from the floor leaders of the six political parties and negotiating groups for delaying the proposal of a constitutional amendment during President Roh’s term.

Cheong Wa Dae Chief of Staff Moon Jae-in said in the press briefing, “President Roh is willing to discuss and even compromise the content as well as the timing of the amendment only if each party promises in a responsible manner to deal with the constitutional revision of the next government as its major political agenda.”

Moon added, “President Roh proposed on March 8 not to initiate this amendment issue on the condition that each presidential candidate promises to cut his or her presidential term by one year, but now he is open to the possibility of discussing this issue without the precondition,” suggesting a possibility for political compromise.

Cheong Wa Dae originally planned to refer to the state council for deliberation on April 17 and then introduce the bill to the National Assembly the following day. But now the timetable has been suspended.

When asked about the length of the delay, Moon said, “We don’t know how long it will last, but if the following political negotiations produce tangible results, we will leave the issue at that. We will not do anything else at that point. However, if there is no such sign, then we will go with the initiation as scheduled.”

Cheong Wa Dae said, “Nothing has changed in our position to pursue the revision of the constitution.” Some experts, however, opined that President Roh may withdraw this issue of the constitutional revision in his presidency given he accepted the proposal by the floor leaders as a condition.

Prior to the announcement by Cheong Wa Dae, the floor leaders of the five major political parties, including the Grand National Party, the Uri Party, and Democratic Party, and negotiating groups agreed to seek the revision in the initial days of the 18th National Assembly, and also reached a consensus to ask for the delay of the amendment in a meeting held in Seoul.

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