Speaker Kim Jin-pyo: "Yoon Shows Positive Response to Constitutional Amendment"

Speaker of the National Assembly Kim Jin-pyo holds an inauguration press conference at the National Assembly on the 28th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] On the 21st, Speaker of the National Assembly Kim Jin-pyo revealed that President Yoon Seok-yeol responded relatively positively to discussions about constitutional amendment during the National Assembly Speaker's dinner on the 19th.

At a press briefing held at the National Assembly that afternoon, Speaker Kim said, "In the past, presidents postponed constitutional amendments despite their campaign promises because such amendments acted like a black hole that drained political momentum. However, in the current political situation where the ruling party is in the minority, couldn't this be used as a momentum to create cooperative politics?"

He added, "When I said I would start discussions on constitutional amendments that provide vision and hope to the people and fit the political realities and advanced era, the president expressed relatively positive opinions on that. I said I would reestablish an advisory committee directly under the Speaker to exchange opinions broadly and publicly promote discussions on constitutional amendments."

President Yoon responded, "That's a good idea," and said, "From the government's perspective, besides constitutional amendments, isn't it necessary to also address electoral laws and party laws to revise the constitutional system in accordance with the times and changed political circumstances?" Speaker Kim conveyed.

Speaker Kim replied, "These issues have already been submitted as agenda items to the Special Committee on Political Reform," and President Yoon said again, "The government will actively respond and cooperate in consultations."

Regarding the Presidential Security Service's decision to strengthen security at former President Moon Jae-in's residence in Pyeongsan Village, Yangsan, Gyeongnam, Speaker Kim said, "One-person protests are becoming increasingly violent, and some people have threatened with box cutters and replica guns. If mishandled, this could lead to a major political incident between the ruling and opposition parties, so the president took an interest and told the head of the Security Service to assess the situation on site and devise countermeasures."

He added, "(This idea) was prepared by Chief Secretary for Political Affairs Jo Kyung-ho in the Speaker's office, and when I informed the president, he immediately dispatched the head of the Security Service to investigate on site, and it was announced today in the form of a press release. I am grateful for that."

Speaker Kim also revealed that during the dinner, they discussed topics such as measures to reduce public transportation costs, the second office in Sejong City, labor, pension, and education reforms, and parliamentary diplomacy.