President urges efforts to finalize constitutional revision by June

SEOUL, Jan. 10 (Yonhap) -- President Moon Jae-in on Wednesday called on lawmakers to expedite consultations on constitutional revision, reiterating his resolve to hold a national referendum concurrently with local elections scheduled for June.

"The Constitution is a bowl that holds the daily lives of the people. Our people's thoughts about the government's responsibility and role and the people's rights have changed dramatically from 30 years ago. We cannot uphold the thoughts of the people with an old constitution that is 30 years old," the president said in the opening speech during his new year's press conference. The country's Constitution was last amended in 1987.

Moon highlighted the need to reflect changes in the people's beliefs and values over the past three decades and stressed the need to put the proposed amendment to a vote together with the local elections.

"Holding the vote on a constitutional amendment along with the local elections is a promise we made to the people. It is also the way to reduce our social cost," he said, noting a separate vote will cost an additional 120 billion won (US$112 million).

"I again ask the National Assembly to take the lead. I urge (the parliament) to reach an agreement on a constitutional revision," he added.

It was his second press conference since taking office in May 2017. His first press conference was held Aug. 17, marking his first 100 days in office.

bdk@yna.co.kr
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