Bipartisan Maneuver On Presidential Term

Home > National > Politics

print dictionary print

Bipartisan Maneuver On Presidential Term


Lawmakers of the ruling Millennium Democratic Party are lending their support to an opposition lawmaker's calls for a bi-partisan committee to look into amending the constitution to create a U.S.-style two-term presidency.

The call Thursday to form the committee was made by Rep. Kim Deog-ryong of the Grand National Party, who opposes the party leadership of Lee Hoi-chang. He was seconded by Rep. Kim Keun-tae, a top ruling party insider.

Kim Keun-tae said on Sunday that "discussion to revise the constitution to allow for a U.S.-style presidency with a two-term limit should take place within this administration's term." He is a member of the Supreme Council, a core committee of ruling party insiders.

Rep. Lee Sang-soo, the ruling party's floor leader, supported his fellow party member's position, saying that "the political discussion of a constitutional revision will begin in the second half of this year."

"The party does not plan to make the issue of constitutional revision an official item on its agenda," said Kim Young-hwan, the ruling party spokesman. "But there is a need for dialogue between ruling and opposition party members to unlock the current political gridlock."

The opposition camp re-sponded by blasting the ruling party for attempting to divide the Grand National Party.

Kim Deog-ryong, along with several other party members, has been vocal in his opposition to Lee Hoi-chang's leadership, and his support for changing the restrictions on the presidency is seen as a major affront to the party chief.

"Prudence should be exercised when discussing constitutional amendments or political realignment that can be used to divide the opposition," said Kwon Chul-hyun, opposition party spokesman.

Lee Hoi-chang, the president of the opposition party, reportedly opposes the amendment, which was first suggested last year by leaders of the ruling party.





by Noh Jae-hyun

Log in to Twitter or Facebook account to connect
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
help-image Social comment?
s
lock icon

To write comments, please log in to one of the accounts.

Standards Board Policy (0/250자)