Speaker Kim Jin-pyo: "Form a Constitutional Amendment Advisory Committee... Let's Pursue a New Approach to Constitutional Revision"

"One President Cannot Handle Solving All Problems"

Kim Jin-pyo, the newly appointed Speaker of the National Assembly, is arriving at the National Assembly building on the 5th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] Speaker of the National Assembly Kim Jin-pyo stated at the 74th Constitution Day celebration, "I intend to establish a 'Constitutional Amendment Advisory Council' directly under the Speaker's office," and requested the formation of a National Assembly 'Special Committee on Constitutional Amendment' to initiate constitutional amendment discussions among ruling and opposition parties.

In his Constitution Day address on the 17th, Speaker Kim said, "Let us unite the energy of the people to open the door to the future by promoting a new form of constitutional amendment."

He emphasized, "New era challenges such as low birth rates, aging population, inequality, climate change, and regional decentralization are emerging one after another, and the public's expectations have risen," adding, "A larger framework is needed to accommodate the heightened public expectations and the changing times." He continued, "We have already entered a society where it is difficult for a single president to solve all problems," and "We must move toward power decentralization and cooperation."

Speaker Kim acknowledged concerns that, "Although there is a sense of necessity for constitutional amendment, some worry that discussions might act like a black hole, absorbing everything and disrupting state administration," and said, "As Speaker, I will review the timing, method, and scope of the amendment through expert consultation to achieve a nationally unifying constitutional amendment. I urge the ruling and opposition parties to come together and form a National Assembly Special Committee on Constitutional Amendment to start discussions."

He also mentioned electoral law reform. He said, "It is urgent to improve the winner-takes-all, loser-goes-extinct electoral system," and added, "Preparations must be made in advance to achieve electoral law reform within the term of the 21st National Assembly." He stressed the need to amend the National Assembly Act as well. Speaker Kim stated, "As stipulated in the Constitution, the National Assembly's budget review and approval authority must be significantly strengthened," and "A new path must be opened for ruling and opposition parties and the government to closely consult on major issues. The negotiation culture centered on bargaining must be transformed into a deliberation-centered culture of cooperation among the ruling party, opposition, and government."

He also said, "Recently, our National Assembly has experienced a complete vacancy for over a month, even lacking a Speaker," and "The organization of the Assembly has not yet been completed." He added, "There are mountains of pressing livelihood issues," and "The doors of the National Assembly must always be open under any circumstances. We must urgently complete the organization and take this opportunity to revise laws and practices to prevent any recurrence of Assembly vacancies."

Furthermore, he reiterated the proposal for inter-Korean parliamentary talks. Speaker Kim said, "Former Speaker Park Byeong-seok already proposed inter-Korean parliamentary talks," and "This proposal remains valid at all times. I am ready to meet the top representative of the Supreme People's Assembly of the North anytime and anywhere," he emphasized.