Cabinet System to be Postponed

President Kim Dae-jung and Prime Minister Kim Jong-pil apparently have recently agreed to defer the introduction of a cabinet system which was promised by the two leaders during the presidential election in late 1997.
A source from the government stated, 'At first, the two leaders came to an agreement to adopt the cabinet system this year, but at present they have decided to put it off until the latter half of President Kim's term in office because this year is fully booked by economic issues and there is a general election in nine months.'
The two Kims instead changed the political schedule so that constitutional revision is to be completed by April 2000 as promised, while its execution should guarantee President Kim's term until February 2003.
He added, 'The current constitution also somewhat secures the advent of the cabinet system as Prime Minister Kim now has command of a considerable portion of power anyways, sharing authority with the president.'
Prime Minister Kim told reporters that he will decide the issue on a national dimension soon.'
Bong Hwa-shik:trojans@joongang.co.kr