[Editorial] President Roh Continues to Belittle the Constitution Even on Constitution Day

President Roh posted a message yesterday on the Cheong Wa Dae homepage. In the message, he made yet another argument for more constitutional amendments, which would allow a four-year two-term presidency and alleviate the strict political neutrality imposed on the president. Whatever the rhetoric may be, his message is simply an embellished excuse for his four years’ debacles and fiascos in office. His message should have elaborated on how to realize the values in the Constitution and how to perform presidential duties defined in it.

Blaming the current system and institutions, he urged political leaders and presidential candidates to promise to amend the Constitution in the way he wishes. Roh has been arguing for a two-term system and synchronization of the presidential and the general election intervals. In April, he asked political parties to make such a promise. He did it again yesterday. It’s not a political act. It’s bullying. His bullying tactics did not even stop there. He disparaged our Constitution, saying, “Only developing countries favor a one-term system. It’s for countries which have been just liberated from dictatorship.” He is the beneficiary of the current Constitution. But getting near the end of his term, he constantly disparages it. It’s like denying his own qualifications as president.

Roh continued, “The current Constitution, as amended in 1987, hinders democratic advancement and creates political inefficiency.” To our ears, he is attempting to dump his failures on the Constitution. Under the current Constitution, Korean citizens gave the majority to his Uri Party. Now, the party is in a coma. Who is to blame for it?

The doctrine of checks and balances constitutes the core of the separation of powers. Leaders in industrialized countries abide by the doctrine, and harmoniously lead their countries in close cooperation with opposing political leaders. But Roh has never shown that behavior. Now, he’s blaming the Constitution for all his failures.

He also alleged, “Imposition of political neutrality prohibits the political activities of a president.” South Korea, however, has repeatedly witnessed its presidents become monarchs. Thus, it is fairly reasonable to impose the burden on the incumbent president to guarantee a level field in the elections.

Originally, a dinner was to be held at the Cheong Wa Dae for national leaders such as the Speaker of the House. It was cancelled. Roh has no one but himself to blame for the cancellation. To avoid a confrontation over the Constitution with Roh, the heads of the Constitutional Court and the Election Commission declined the invitation. Our last hope is to watch Roh concentrate on his official duties without any more rhetorical, bullying maneuvers.