GNP Stokes the Case for Constitutional Reform

Into the election season, the case for constitutional reform has begun to surface. It is the Grand National Party (GNP) that has given a boost to the case. GNP leader Choe Byung-yul’s public support for constitutional amendment was echoed on January 26 by its floor leader, Hong Sa-duk, who is called a constitutional reform fundamentalist for his persistent view for a rewriting of the Constitution. Hong, commenting on Choe’s “decentralist constitutional reforms,” said it is appropriate. He quickly threw weight behind Choe and said, “We will attempt to work together with the Millennium Democratic Party (MDP) and the United Liberal Democratic Party (ULDP) to rewrite the constitution.”

-Double Whammy. What’s behind the GNP-triggered case for constitutional reform is a double whammy to take the initiative in the election as well as to dominate the post-election political landscape.

Initially, the GNP believed it would be in a comfortable lead in the April National Assembly elections as they were shaping up as a competition of the two governing parties vs. one opposition party. However, as with the new leadership of Chung Dong-young in place at the Uri Party, support for the party is on the rise, the GNP felt it needed more aggressive electoral tactics.

This was the reason why Choe, once unmoved by Hong’s persistent argument, began to rekindle the argument for constitutional reform. With an effort at rewriting the constitution, the GNP will likely attempt to incorporate the MDP and the ULDP into a united front against President Roh Moo-hyun.

In addition, there is a hidden goal the GNP wants to achieve. The majority opposition party is not in a mood to leave President Roh unchecked. “Widespread perceptions are that President Roh should not be allowed to lead the country as he is doing now,” Hong said. “We have to make this country normal again if that means we will have to limit presidential power.”

The GNP’s push for constitutional reform is aimed at 70 percent of the voters who harbor ill-feelings toward the president. It also implies that the united front of the three opposition parties will seize power while they allow President Roh to finish his five-year term.

-Is a United Front Possible? The MDP, the GNP’s possible largest ally, has yet to sort out its position regarding the rewriting of the constitution. While it is true that the MDP has repeatedly said it would reclaim half of the power it believes it deserves. However, it wants to win back the half in the form of receiving the prime minister post with effective control over the government, not of a new constitution.

Evidently, some leading members of the MDP expressed support for the GNP case. However, MDP chairman Chough Soon-hyung said, “Time is not ripe for talking about constitutional reform.” There are concerns that the GNP-MDP alliance will backfire. Thus, some people want to link constitutional reforms with the issues surrounding President’s electoral slush funds. “If President’s Roh’s slush funds are disclosed to exceed 10 percent of the GNP’s in value, the governing party will propose a constitutional amendment,” opined Kang Woon-tae, the MDP general secretary.

-Preconditions for Constitutional reform. The GNP’s open support for a reformed constitution is the first of its kind of attempt by an opposition party to determine the term and power of the president. It is a declaration of war. A political storm will likely gather.

To give the case for constitutional reform any relevancy, the three opposition parties, the GNP, the MDP and the ULDP, need to hold two-thirds of the National Assembly. However, this will make the initiation of a constitutional reform process possible. Whether or not the public will support the motion is yet to be seen. Nevertheless, a battle appears inevitable over the beacon for constitutional reform, started by the GNP.

Young-Chan Yoon Seung-Heon Lee yyc11@donga.com ddr@donga.com