"Strengthening Parliamentary Elements Was the Core Goal of Constitutional Amendment" [Constitutional Amendment, Connecting the Future]

②Tarja Halonen on Constitutional Amendment
Began Presidential Term in 2000, the Year of the New Constitution
President's Core Role: Diplomacy, Security, and Defense

Editor's NoteThe Constitution of the Republic of Korea is the foundation of the nation and the standard of citizens' lives. The '1987 system,' symbolizing the last constitutional amendment, is now being called for change. This means there is a need for new standards to redesign Korea's present and future, considering nearly 30 years of changes. For members of the National Assembly and political scientists, constitutional amendment is recognized as an inevitable task of the times. The 'social turmoil' triggered by the emergency martial law paradoxically revitalized the momentum for constitutional amendment. Across the political spectrum, including ruling and opposition parties, and throughout Korean society, constitutional amendment has emerged as a key topic of interest. Based on diagnoses from domestic and international political, economic, and legal experts?including former presidents of European countries that have experienced constitutional amendments, scholars from the United States and Japan, the president of the Korean Constitutional Law Association, and former governors of the Bank of Korea?this article aims to analyze this era of great transformation and sketch a blueprint for constitutional amendment suited to Korean society.

Former Finnish President Tarja Halonen. Photo by AP Yonhap News

"One of the core goals of the Finnish constitutional amendment was to strengthen the parliamentary element within our government system."

Tarja Halonen, former President of Finland, stated in a written interview with Asia Economy on the 26th, "I began my first term as President of the Republic of Finland in 2000, when Finland's new constitution came into effect."

Finland has experienced continuous and gradual constitutional amendments since the 1980s. Through this process, it transformed from a strong presidential system to the parliamentary system it has today. The new constitution enacted in 2000 significantly reduced presidential powers while strengthening the powers of the parliament and the prime minister. Former President Halonen explained, "Since the constitution was enacted in 1919, the scope of administrative powers has considerably expanded, and there has been a tendency for administrative authority to shift from the president to the government."

Former President Halonen took office as the 11th President of Finland in 2000 and was re-elected in 2006, successfully serving a second term. She was the first president to be re-elected since the introduction of direct presidential elections in Finland. Known as the first female president, she gained international popularity and has visited Korea several times even after her presidency ended.

When Asia Economy requested an interview regarding constitutional amendments, former President Halonen stated she would respond only regarding Finland's past constitutional amendment cases. She majored in law at the University of Helsinki and worked as a lawyer before entering politics. She later served as Minister of Justice.

The characteristic of Finland's constitutional amendment, as mentioned by former President Halonen, is its orientation toward a parliamentary power structure. Finland is regarded as having fundamentally completed democratic governance through gradual constitutional amendments. Halonen said, "According to the Finnish constitution, administrative powers are granted to both the president and the government (prime minister), and the government must have the confidence of the parliament," adding, "This principle is also reflected in other constitutional provisions related to the president's duties and powers."

After gaining independence from Russia in 1917, Finland was a dual executive system country with a strong presidential power structure. The president held strong powers such as the authority to dissolve parliament, overshadowing the prime minister's powers.

Former President Urho Kekkonen (in office from 1956 to 1981) actively utilized the constitutional powers of the president and succeeded in long-term rule. Kekkonen experienced two wars with the Soviet Union during World War II and exercised strong leadership to overcome the crisis. According to domestic and international political scientists, Kekkonen's 25-year long-term rule led to accumulated political problems. The excessively concentrated presidential power contrasted with the relatively weak roles of the parliament and cabinet, sparking discussions on constitutional amendment.

The starting point of Finland's constitutional amendment was concern over the authoritarian leadership of the president, who held excessive power. Mauno Koivisto, who succeeded Kekkonen as president (1982?1994), initiated full-scale constitutional reform. At that time, Finland elected its president indirectly through an electoral college of 300 members, which was abolished in favor of direct popular elections. The presidential term was set at six years, with a two-term limit. The number of senior officials appointed by the president was reduced. The power to dissolve parliament and call early elections was changed to be possible only upon the prime minister's initiation.

When Finland joined the European Union (EU) in 1995, the powers between the president and prime minister were significantly adjusted. Finland coordinated so that the prime minister would lead EU-related diplomatic matters, while the president would lead foreign policy decisions with non-EU countries. Generally, in a dual executive system, the prime minister handles domestic affairs, and the president handles foreign affairs.

Former Finnish President Tarja Halonen. Photo by Former President Halonen's official website

Former President Halonen explained, "The government is responsible for domestic preparations regarding matters decided in the EU and determines Finland's related measures," adding, "If a specific decision requires parliamentary ratification, it exceptionally goes through parliament. In the European Council (EC), the Finnish prime minister represents the country."

Despite several constitutional amendments, one presidential power that has not changed is the command of the armed forces. The Finnish president plays a key role in diplomacy, security, and defense policy. The president represents Finland in relations with non-European countries such as NATO and the United Nations (UN).

During her tenure, former President Halonen considered Finland's NATO membership. At the same time, she held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in his hometown of Saint Petersburg, Russia, fostering a peaceful atmosphere on the European continent. Halonen said, "Finnish foreign policy is led by the president in cooperation with the government," adding, "The conclusion and withdrawal of international treaties require parliamentary approval according to the constitution."

In 2000, Finland enacted a new constitution transferring the authority to elect the prime minister and form the government from the president to the parliament. The constitution also significantly restricted the president's power to dissolve parliament and veto legislation. This completed the current semi-parliamentary dual executive system. Former President Halonen said, "I believe cooperation with the government, as required by the constitution, was smoothly carried out," adding, "Overall, work was performed in an integrated manner, and active cooperation was achieved at the national level."

Despite the reduction in powers, the Finnish president remains more than a symbolic figure. The president retains status and power and plays a leading role in domestic and foreign policy formulation. During her tenure, Halonen worked to foster friendly relations with countries such as the United States, Russia, and China.

She also actively engaged in various diplomatic issues such as Turkey's EU accession and Middle East peace negotiations. Following Halonen, former President Sauli Niinist?, building on these historic relationships, played an international mediator role when Russia forcibly annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014. In 2018, Niinist? mediated the first official summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, known as the 'Helsinki Summit.'

The Finnish president still holds appointment powers for some senior officials, including the central bank governor, and exercises military command and special pardon rights. Former President Halonen emphasized, "The core role of the Finnish president is to handle foreign, security, and defense policies," adding, "Effective and smooth cooperation among key government institutions is essential in these areas." She also said, "The Finnish president is elected by direct popular vote," noting, "This is a factor that grants the president strong authority in performing duties."