`Not yet ripe` for constitutional amendment, Saenuri floor leader says

The ruling Saenuri Party`s Floor Leader Lee Wan-koo (pictured) said on Saturday, “It does not make sense for the ruling party to start talking about ‘constitutional amendment,’ while the nation focuses on structural reform to revive economy.”

When asked, "constitutional amendment would be pursued this year" during his appearance in a TV program, Lee showed negative response, saying, “Constitutional reform would change the power structure and it is a sensitive issue related to the next presidential election. If it is politicized, it would become a black hole.”

Lee drew a clear line by saying, “The foundational premise of constitutional revision is that the public must show their strong demand for it. Currently, the public’s attention is not focused but scattered over cabinet system, presidential system and Austrian semi-presidential system.” The Saenuri floor leader added, “(As the Constitutional Court ruled that population discrepancy, currently three to one between some constituencies, in October 2014,) the constituency system must be revised. But the parliamentary committee on political reform must refine general issues.” “Constitutional reform must be carefully implemented,” said Lee.

On the issue of cabinet reshuffling, Saenuri Rep. Hong Moon-jong, a key member of pro-Park (pro Park Geun-hye) faction who appeared as co-host in the TV program, said “The Cabinet will be (shuffled) in a small scale in February, and probably major reshuffling will be conducted in May.” Such remarks give weight to "the phased cabinet reorganization opinion," which has been raised within the ruling party. Some say that the phased reshuffling seems to consider the date (May 7) when the party floor leader Lee’s term in office ends.

Lee dismissed the remarks by the lawmaker by saying, “I’ve never received the offer (to be the prime minister).” However, to the question as to what Lee wants to change (if he becomes the Prime Minister), Lee answered, “I will see the opposition party as an important pillar of the state affairs and communicate with them.”

“If there is any current issue in the state affairs, Prime Minister Chung Hong-won must explain first to the opposition party and listen to them. Then the prime minister reviews with the government, and contact to the ruling party to create a collaborating community. (However, so far,) such flow has not worked well,” Lee said.