By Shim Jae-yun
Rep. Moon Hee-sang, interim leader of the main opposition party New Politics Alliance for Democracy, has criticized the presidential office for having allegedly interfered in moves toward constitutional revision.
He called on presidential staffers at Cheong Wa Dae to refrain from giving guidelines to the ruling Saenuri Party over the constitutional amendment that features power sharing between the head of state and the prime minister.
Moon pointed out that over 230 lawmakers at the 300-member National Assembly support the idea of changing the current presidential system. "The issue of a constitutional revision has been a general trend," he said during a press conference marking one month since taking office as the party leader.
Under the current Constitution, either the president or parliament can initiate a constitutional revision.
Rep. Kim Moo-sung, chairman of the ruling Saenuri Party, first triggered the controversy by saying there would be an "outpouring" of debate over a constitutional revision following the ongoing regular session of the National Assembly.
Kim's remark, made during a visit to China, apparently irritated Cheong Wa Dae as it came just days after President Park Geun-hye made clear her opposition to the amendment. The president cited the chaos such an amendment could create, as well as the more urgent need to focus on state administration and recovery of the national economy.
Amid growing signs of political strife, Kim backed down from his original statement, saying his words came from concern over the future political situation and were largely overblown.
Despite Kim's concession, Cheong Wa Dae then targeted Kim, with a senior presidential aide describing his remarks as challenging the president's authority.
The presidential aide suggested the ruling party leader made the statement adroitly, apparently to test public opinion about this sensitive issue.
Park's term in office ends in early 2017 and she cannot seek another term by law.
Moon also underlined the need to carry out a parliamentary inspection into allegations that former President Lee Myung-bak's administration committed irregularities in projects revamping four major rivers and exploring overseas energy resources.
Concerning the possibility of bringing former President Lee in for investigation, Moon said, "There should be no sanctuary. It is a serious issue, as a huge amount of the national budget was wasted."
Moon has taken the helm of the opposition party since his predecessor Rep. Park Young-sun quit the post after accepting responsibility for the failure in negotiations with the ruling party over the Sewol special bill. The bill sought to find the cause of the ferry sinking, which left 304 people dead and 11 more still missing.
 |
| Rep. Moon Hee-sang, interim leader of the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy, speaks during a press conference marking one month after taking the helm of the party at the National Assembly in Seoul, Wednesday. / Yonhap |
He called on presidential staffers at Cheong Wa Dae to refrain from giving guidelines to the ruling Saenuri Party over the constitutional amendment that features power sharing between the head of state and the prime minister.
Moon pointed out that over 230 lawmakers at the 300-member National Assembly support the idea of changing the current presidential system. "The issue of a constitutional revision has been a general trend," he said during a press conference marking one month since taking office as the party leader.
Under the current Constitution, either the president or parliament can initiate a constitutional revision.
Rep. Kim Moo-sung, chairman of the ruling Saenuri Party, first triggered the controversy by saying there would be an "outpouring" of debate over a constitutional revision following the ongoing regular session of the National Assembly.
Kim's remark, made during a visit to China, apparently irritated Cheong Wa Dae as it came just days after President Park Geun-hye made clear her opposition to the amendment. The president cited the chaos such an amendment could create, as well as the more urgent need to focus on state administration and recovery of the national economy.
Amid growing signs of political strife, Kim backed down from his original statement, saying his words came from concern over the future political situation and were largely overblown.
Despite Kim's concession, Cheong Wa Dae then targeted Kim, with a senior presidential aide describing his remarks as challenging the president's authority.
The presidential aide suggested the ruling party leader made the statement adroitly, apparently to test public opinion about this sensitive issue.
Park's term in office ends in early 2017 and she cannot seek another term by law.
Moon also underlined the need to carry out a parliamentary inspection into allegations that former President Lee Myung-bak's administration committed irregularities in projects revamping four major rivers and exploring overseas energy resources.
Concerning the possibility of bringing former President Lee in for investigation, Moon said, "There should be no sanctuary. It is a serious issue, as a huge amount of the national budget was wasted."
Moon has taken the helm of the opposition party since his predecessor Rep. Park Young-sun quit the post after accepting responsibility for the failure in negotiations with the ruling party over the Sewol special bill. The bill sought to find the cause of the ferry sinking, which left 304 people dead and 11 more still missing.
![[PHOTOS] Harvest season arrives](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/newsV2/images/harvesr_0002_0e73d9d71cde7.JPG/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[EXCLUSIVE] Lawmakers to submit resolution urging China to free N. Korean escapees](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/c26dcfe337d74c319d1b2ae87f08fcd5.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[INTERVIEW] ONEUS returns as 'mermaid prince'](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/8cc3b8d992cd4b8bb43395b014670ca2.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[INTERVIEW] Yim Si-wan went extra mile to portray legendary athlete in 'Road to Boston'](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/fdd49ca391cf4ce785bd7136efd0bfa2.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
