South Korea's parliamentary speaker on Sunday called on President Park Geun-hye to make known her views on amending the Constitution, stressing that the process to have serious debate is at hand.

In an interview with Yonhap News Agency at his office in the National Assembly, Chung Sye-kyun made clear that the Constitution is something that affects the entire country and all people, and as such, Park needs to pay attention to the ongoing debate.

"It is only right that the president outlines her views on this critical issue," he emphasized.
 

The speaker raised the point of changing the Constitution when he assumed his post earlier this month, reflecting calls for an overhaul, particularly among the country's politicians.

The current Constitution that went into effect in 1987 is a remnant of South Korea's authoritarian past. It limits the president, who is elected through a direct vote, to a single five-year term in office and gives the chief executive considerable powers. Proponents of change have called for two four-year terms for the president, with others advocating a semi-presidential and parliamentary system of government.

"Park can remain aloof from political affairs as president, yet at the same time she holds the country's most important political post," Chung said.

The speaker said he has received no response from the presidential office so far on constitutional reform.

"In the past, the presidential office's response was a firm negative, but this time around, there is silence," he pointed out.

Park in the past held negative views on the matter, saying the lawmakers and the country's leaders must put their focus on revitalizing the national economy instead of dealing with matters that do not impact people's everyday lives.

He speculated that Cheong Wa Dae may be gauging public opinion and views of lawmakers on this matter, and claimed there is no reason to think that lawmakers will not be able to discuss amending the Constitution while taking care of other legislation that can help the people and the country at large.

Chung, a six-term lawmaker, then said he plans to propose setting up a special committee to discuss constitutional reforms when he meets the top leaders of major parties. He said if there is disagreement, he could create an advisory board under the speaker's office to get talks moving forward.

On what course a change in the constitution should look like, he said various options can be examined but stressed there is a need to adjust the power of the chief executive.

In regards to the issue of North Korea's growing belligerence, Chung said parliament has no choice but to follow the government's lead on the matter.

He pointed out that there is no purpose in calling for talks if the North is unwilling to respond.

Seoul has said it will engage in talks with the North but made clear that the country must clarify its position on denuclearization. Pyongyang and its leader Kim Jong-un have so far rejected all proposals that it surrender its nuclear program and even insisted that it is a "responsible" nuclear power on the same footing as countries like the United States.

"For lawmakers, there is also a need to respect public opinion (that has soured) on this matter," he said and clarified that the South cannot turn a blind eye to Pyongyang's numerous provocations.

He then said now is not the right time to call for dialogue with the North, although such a move can be explored down the line when conditions become more favorable.

The speaker, meanwhile, said that he plans to take steps to strip away privileges of lawmakers and that a special committee made up of civic groups will be tasked to look into such matters as legislators involved in wrongdoing being immune from arrest. (Yonhap)