Opposition parties demand government withdraw constitutional amendment bill

Opposition parties called on the government to withdraw its constitutional amendment proposal Wednesday, a day before the deadline for a parliamentary vote.

The main opposition Liberty Korea Party said it would be “right” and “rational” for the government to take back its own proposal, and announced it would not take part in Thursday’s plenary session for the voting.

“While the proposal contains the ideals of democracy, it did not reflect enough public opinion,” Rep. Kim Sung-tae, floor leader of the conservative opposition party, said in a statement. “We request, with respect, the president to withdraw the proposal, considering that the National Assembly is also working to come up with an agreed amendment bill.”

Amid rising calls to change the Constitution that was last revised in 1987, President Moon Jae-in pledged to reform the basic law during his term. He asked lawmakers to come up with an amendment bill to be put to a national referendum alongside the upcoming local elections slated for June 13.

But rival parties failed to reduce differences over the details of an amendment bill to be presented in June. Therefore, the presidential office announced its own proposal and submitted it to the National Assembly on March 26.

Moon’s proposal, however, also lost its chance to be put to a referendum in June, due to partisan disputes at the parliament.

Thursday is the deadline for lawmakers to decide whether to accept or reject the government’s proposal as the law mandates the vote to be held within 60 days of its submission.

Three minor opposition parties -- the center-right Bareunmirae Party, center-left Party for Democracy and Peace and far-left Justice Party -- also held a joint press meeting early Wednesday, criticizing the government for submitting a proposal “even though it knew it was not going to pass the parliament.”

“The president pushed to propose its own amendment bill, refusing to give in,” said Rep. Kim Dong-cheol, floor leader of the Bareunmirae Party, at the press meeting.

Park Joo-sun, co-chairman of the Bareunmirae Party, also expressed concerns over a political dispute if the liberal government’s proposal is voted down at the parliament. 

But Cheong Wa Dae reiterated Wednesday that it would not withdraw the proposal.

“We have said many times before, it is not the time to discuss a withdrawal. It is now the duty of the National Assembly,” an official from the presidential office said.

The ruling Democratic Party of Korea fired back at the opposition, saying voting for the amendment proposal is only a legal procedure and that it is lawmakers’ duty to participate.

“It is crucial that we take care of the president’s amendment bill tomorrow. The plenary session is convened by National Assembly Speaker Chung Sye-kyun, and it would be neglecting the Constitution if (lawmakers) refuse to take part in the session,” Rep. Hong Young-pyo, floor leader of the ruling party, said in a party meeting Wednesday.

While Thursday’s plenary session is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m., it is highly unlikely that the voting will take place, as the main opposition has said it will boycott the meeting.

The quorum needed to hold a parliamentary vote for the government’s proposal is two-thirds of the total number of lawmakers, which is 192 out of 288. The Liberty Korea Party holds 113 parliamentary seats.

By Jo He-rim (herim@heraldcorp.com)