Park Geun-hye wants to double the presidential term

Monday, 24 October, 2016 - 15:30

Park Geun-hye, the current President of South Korea called for constitutional reforms that could allow future presidents to serve two terms. The President marked that during the single five-year term it was «difficult to maintain policy continuance, see results of policy and engage in unified foreign policy».

The opinions of parliamentarians were different. The ruling Saenuri Party has cheered the bill, in spite of the fact that this party supported the impeachment of Park Geun-hye.
This new reform would not concern the current president.

The Democratic Party (the former Minjoo Party) claimed that the government should not move ahead with the constitutional revision, because attempt to hide alleged wrongdoings by acquaintances of the president was hidden in this proposal.

Rep. Youn Kwan-suk said: «We cannot agree to have discussions on constitutional revisions that would help hide the unfolding corruption scandals Park's proposal on the revision came out of nowhere. Two years ago, Park clearly said she opposes the revision, citing negative impacts on the economy».

The official from the Democratic Party also added: «We point out that the existing political tension is derived from the president's lack of communication and stubbornness».

The Justice Party drew parallels between Park Geun-hye and her father Park Chung-hee, who ruled the nation from 1961-1979 and paved the way for his long-term rule through the Yushin.

However, the opposition continues to develop the possibility of impeachment of Park Geun-hye.