People’s Vote of Confidence Uncertain

On October 13, President Roh suggested having a people’s vote of confidence around December 15. However, opposition parties are voicing against Roh’s proposal, hence the controversy is heightening.

President Roh, at the administrative policy speech, announced, “A vote of confidence is the most appropriate way and in this case, December 15 seems to be the best day.” Roh added, “Although there are debates over the legitimacy of the vote, I believe that when we reach a political consensus, it would be possible to interpret the article about the national crisis in a broader sense.”

Roh also said, “In case of disapproval, the next presidential election should take place on April 15, the date of general election next year.” He added, “After the December 15 vote of confidence, we can have a couple of months of candidate preparation period until I step down from presidency on February 15, and then the candidate will have less than 60 days until Election Day.”

However, the Grand National Party asserted, “The vote should be limited to the issue of political scandals surrounding the president’s close aides only.” The Millennium Democratic Party argued that since people’s vote deciding on the president’s resignation is unconstitutional, it should be discussed in the National Assembly first. Thus, it is uncertain whether the parties would be able to reach an agreement.

In the meantime, chairman of GNP, Choe Byung-ryul said at a standing committee meeting, “If President Roh’s vote of confidence is to be linked to corruption of the political arena in general, it is obviously a change of position from his original stance.”

“Accusations and scandals surrounding Choi Do-sul and other people from Roh’s circle need to be the reason for the vote of confidence, and if that is the legitimate cause of the vote, then there is no reason to oppose,” he added.

Chairman Choe is expected to officially release his party’s position on October 14 at the floor speech, but there are growing voices among GNP reformists to take the chance by accepting Roh’s proposal. Thus, much attention goes to the final decision of the party.

Meanwhile, at the press conference after the President’s speech, Chairman Park Sang-chun of MDP explained, “Most constitution experts agree that people’s vote deciding the president’s resignation in unconstitutional.” And once again, he proposed a summit among all four political parties that “constitutional revision is required to conduct people’s vote and the issue should be debated in the National Assembly.”

On the other hand, at the emergency general meeting the People’s Participatory United New Party expressed their support for the president’s suggestion and urged two major opposition parties to agree to hold a three-party meeting in preparation for the vote

In his speech, President Roh said, “Although there are controversies over which policies should be linked to the vote, it would be better to just ask people whether they approve of my presidency or not.” Roh added, “No matter how the vote turns out, I will accept the outcome, and if the people vote for me I will commit to swift reforms in the cabinet and the Blue House in December.”

In addition, about political corruption, President Roh expressed his determination by saying, “If we can achieve transparent politics through a thorough investigation and confession, amnesty, and institutional reform, I would be willing to step down.” Along with this, he suggested some political reformist measures.