National Assembly Speaker Chung Sye-gyun took helm of a legislature which had lost public trust so severely that it was often rated as one of the least respected public institutions in opinion polls.

The problem was serious in the 19th Assembly and many called it “the worst-ever parliament” due to severe partisan strife that often paralyzed legislative business and involved its members’ endless series of ethical lapses.

The 20th Assembly started its four-year term early this month under strong public pressure that it should be different from the previous one. It is good to see at least the speaker is showing signs of positive changes.   

A six-term lawmaker, Chung is widely seen as a moderate, reasonable politician who emphasizes compromise and collaboration. He is a strong advocate of reforms, especially in the legislature. Up to this point, he seems to be living up to expectations.

Most of all, as the speaker, he is speaking up to set the right national agenda at the right time. The proposal for a Constitutional revision is one case in point.

In his inaugural speech early this month, Chung said that the Constitution that was rewritten in 1987 has outlived its purpose since the last amendment was chiefly aimed at ending the vicious circle of dictatorship.

Chung’s proposal rekindled debates on changing the basic law. In relation, Chung said in an interview published Sunday that he would push for establishing a parliamentary special committee to discuss the issue. It is right for the parliament to take the lead in the endeavors.

Chung has gone on to pressure President Park Geun-hye to reverse her opposition to amending the Constitution. As Chung said in the interview, Park’s silence on his proposal may indicate a change in her position, but that is not enough.

Park is on the threshold of becoming a lame duck, but the chief executive’s consent is necessary -- if not indispensable -- in pushing for such an important national agenda. Chung needs to work more on persuading the president.

Chung’s reform agendas also target the power and perks given to lawmakers, an issue that brings down public confidence in the legislature. He was well-advised to suggest the establishment of an ad-hoc panel consisting of civic leaders, journalists and academics to address the problem. 

Chung said that one of the targets of the reform efforts should be the ban on putting lawmakers into custody when the parliament is in session. As he said, it is wrong for the parliament to provide excessive protection to lawmakers implicated in corruption or other misdeeds.

Although he renounced his party membership under the law, Chung was elected to his sixth term as a member of the main opposition Minjoo Party of Korea. He is the first opposition member to head the legislature in 14 years. It is refreshing in this regard to see that he does not take the same stand as the Minjoo Party of Korea on every issue.

One example is his opposition to the promotion of inter-Korean parliamentary talks, which was proposed by Minjoo leader Kim Chong-in recently.

Chung clearly opposed the proposal, saying that the parliament should walk in step with the government on security issues and consider public sentiment regarding the North’s latest nuclear and missile provocations.

“I don’t think the timing is appropriate and it would be wise to push for the talks at some later time,” he said. Things like this raise hopes that Chung will be a speaker who speaks up when necessary, regardless of partisan interests. He should be encouraged and pressured to keep speaking up.