Former Gyeonggi Province Gov. Kim Moon-soo on Thursday expressed his opposition to constitutional reform, intensifying a national debate over proposals to dilute the president’s powers.

Kim, considered a contender for the next presidential election, said there was nothing wrong with the Constitution itself. Rather, he said, many things would be better if legislators did their jobs according to the rules more often.

The comments are expected to add fire to a much publicized feud over possible constitutional amendments revolving around governing Saenuri Party chair Rep. Kim Moo-sung and President Park Geun-hye.

The idea gained public attention earlier this month when Kim Moo-sung said parliamentary debates on the issue would begin early next year.

But the presidential office disapproved, saying the debates would shift public attention away from newly implemented economic initiatives. President Park even accused Rep. Kim of starting a political cat-and-mouse game.

Rep. Kim apologized and denied the charges, saying he would refrain from making further comments on the issue.

Rep. Kim had suggested changing the power structure of the executive branch by creating a government managed by both a president and a chancellor. The president would attend to external matters such as foreign policy and defense. The chancellor, elected by the parliament, would take charge of domestic issues.

Critics, however, say Kim Moo-sung is simply trying to level the playing field before the 2017 race.

“Just think about it. Why would you try to change the rules?” said professor Chung Jin-min of Myongji University, Seoul.

“The people, or party that is proposing to change the Constitution is likely to be the one that’s unsure about its chances of winning in coming elections.”

Rep. Kim and former governor Kim are considered the top two conservatives who could run on the Saenuri Party ticket in 2017. Both are so-called “bigwigs” in Korean politics, with Kim Moo-sung having served in the parliament five times, and Kim Moon-soo thrice. A Gallup Korea poll conducted Oct. 14-16 ranked Rep. Kim third on the most-favored-candidate list while former Gov. Kim was listed fifth. Opposition officials, however, occupied the first and second places with Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon topping the list, followed by 2012 opposition presidential candidate Rep. Moon Jae-in.

But Rep. Kim could have unlikely allies in the opposition bloc.

Rep. Moon Hee-sang, the interim leader of the main opposition party New Politics Alliance for Democracy, said in his address to a plenary session at the National Assembly on Thursday that he would support constitutional amendments before the 2016 general elections. Moon and other opposition officials support plans to limit the president’s authority.

By Jeong Hunny (hj257@heraldcorp.com)