Controversy over Constitutional Revision

Controversy over constitutional revision has intensified in the political arena.

Since Ron Moo-Hyun, presidential candidate of the Millennium Democratic Party (MDP), who had remained calm, clarified his position on the 5th that there would be no constitutional revision within this year, other political factions have officially announce their own positions.

Constitutional revision has a great impact on the current confrontation between Lee Hoi-Chang, GNP presidential candidate and his MDP counterpart Roh Moon-Hyun.

Generally those who support a constitutional revision explore ways to bring changes to the political landscape, while those who oppose it want to keep the status quo.

▽ Divided Voices in MDP

"It is certain that a constitutional revision within the year is neither realistic nor possible given the current political situations,” Roh said at a press conference held yesterday.

He added, "I will not presuppose the purpose of a constitutional revision, but the current constitution already include some elements of the French-style system, which obliges the president to share power with a prime minister.

He has expressed reservation over the demand to revise the constitution in an attempt to antagonize reformists in the MDP. But as Rep. Rhee In-Je called for a constitutional revision within the year, Roh put the brake of the demand.

▽ GNP Opposes Constitutional Revision

The GNP and MDP mainstreamers are opposed to a constitutional revision. Lee and Roh have confronted in a variety of issues, but agreed that the current political set-up centered around them should be maintained until the presidential election.

That is why the GNP has made a clear objection to the demand. the GNP thinks that MDP officials and other junior political parties, who see little chances of Roh`s election, are calling for a constitutional revision in a bid to form an alliance with independent presidential aspirant to confront Lee.

The GNP wants to blow a serious deal to Roh but does not really want the current set-up to be broken.

▽ Responses to a Constitutional Revision

Non-mainstreamers in the MDP, the splinter United Liberal Democrats (ULD) and the Democratic People`s Party (DPP) are lending support to the demand for a constitutional revision.

Rep. Rhee of the MDP is fueling the demand for a constitutional revision. He said at yesterday`s press conference, "I will take the lead in a bipartisan effort to revise the constitution. It is high time to revise the constitution and to establish an agency to push for the revision. Also I will persuade the public of the necessity of a constitutional revision."

Kim Jong-pil, ULD chairman, expressed the similar view by saying, "I welcome the emergence of those who are sincerely concerned about the nation`s future."

Kim Yun-hwan, DPP chairman also expressed a strong support for a constitutional revision, and Park Geun-hye, chairman of the Korean Coalition for the Future, said that she is willing to discuss the proposed presidential system.

▽ Prospects for a Possible Alliance

These political underdogs have contacted with each other via a variety of channels and focused on extending their reach. They have one thing in common that they have a strong resistance to the current political set-up centered around Roh and Lee.

They want `the emergence of a third presidential candidate`. They have also demanded the political reshuffle through the medium of a constitutional revision.

But they have failed to see eye to eye about who will be the `third presidential candidate`. Rep. Chung Mong-joon, who is enjoying a skyrocketing popularity thanks to the World Cup, has a negative response to the proposed constitutional revision while acknowledging the need.

Park Sang-cheon, MDP supreme councilor, and Chung Gyun-hwan, the party whip, are both reformists, but have different views on the issue from other reformist in the party. They are more interested in forming an alliance with other junior parties centered on the MDP.

The key is moves in the MDP. For MDP reformists are highly likely to form a alliance with junior political parties in order to lend strength to the proposed constitutional revision.

Young-Chan Yoon Sung-Won Park yyc11@donga.com swpark@donga.com