Published : Jan. 25, 2017 - 10:56
Former UN chief Ban Ki-moon, a prominent presidential aspirant, reiterated his support for a constitutional revision Wednesday, calling for a sweeping change in the current governing structure, where power is concentrated in a single national leader.
During a meeting with some members of the ruling Saenuri Party, Ban also reaffirmed his resolve to work for a "change in politics," upbraiding establishment politicians for being mired in persistent power struggles.
"(We) have reached the limits in further advancing the Republic of Korea based on the 'imperial' presidential system that has continued for some three decades (under the 1987 Constitution),"
Ban said.
"Through a constitutional revision and a reform of the election system, we have to create a political system that befits the 21st century," he added.
Former UN chief Ban Ki-moon (Yonhap)
Even before his return to Korea on Jan. 12 after 10 years of service as the UN secretary-general, he mentioned the need for rewriting the country's basic law to enact a power-sharing presidential system that reduces undue powers given to the head of state.
Ban has yet to officially declare his presidential bid. He has signaled his strong ambitions for the country's top elected office, vowing to capitalize on his experience at the world body to help advance his home country.
Ban also used the morning meeting to issue a searing criticism of establishment politics, calling for a "fundamental reform of the old political framework."
"Politics itself has become a problem (we need to tackle) though the role of politics is to tackle problems (facing our society)," he said. "We must push for a change in politics -- not for just changing certain politicians."
Noting that citizens hope for a new form of politics, Ban stressed the need for political circles to take a path for "grand national integration through a grand compromise."
"Political circles as a whole must reflect on themselves ... The president and legislators must be ready to boldly give up their vested interests," he stressed.
Ban, in addition, underscored the need for national leaders to pursue "cooperative governance" in a departure from the "reigning" leadership style.
"Through the inclusive leadership, we must achieve inclusive economic growth and social development," he said. (Yonhap)