S.Korean president proposes referendum in December

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, October 13, 2003

S.Korean president proposes referendum in December

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South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun Monday proposed a national referendum on his presidency around Dec.15, and said if he lost the trust of the public, he would favor a presidential election to be held simultaneously with next year's general elections.

Roh made the announcement in a speech to the National Assembly, or the parliament, earlier Monday.

Roh also pledged to overhaul the presidential office and the cabinet and chart a "new course" for state affairs.

"There are no conditions attached whatsoever to my referendum proposal," Roh said.

Roh expressed belief in his speech that a national vote of confidence in his presidency is the most appropriate method despite debate over its constitutionality.

Roh said the best date would be around Dec. 15 since the parties would have two months to choose presidential candidates for an election if he lost the referendum. And then after two months a presidential election could take place alongside general elections on April 15, he added.

He also said that if he wins the vote, he will launch a series of political reforms from mid-December to bring stability to state affairs and allow his administration to start afresh from next year.

"There is no future for us unless we cure our moral paralysis. There can be no economic development, no joining of the advanced nations," he warned. "Now, the people have to make their decision."

Roh placed particular emphasis on the issue of political reform, calling for changes in the election system.

While lamenting the involvement of several close aides in a series of graft scandals, Roh pledged to uncover the truth in each of the cases.

One of his close aides was founded to have taken some 1 million US dollars from local business group late last year after Roh won the presidential election. The money was given as "reward" for the victory of the former ruling camp.

The South Korean top leader stunned the country on last Friday by announcing a national vote on his presidency. And the country was further shocked by the decision of resignation of the cabinet and Roh's senior secretaries.

Roh rejected the offer of resignation and vowed to pull the state affairs back on track on last Saturday.

Roh left the Millennium Democratic Party (MDP) last month. After that, his and the government's decisions were frustrated several times in the National Assembly, because the MDP and the parliament biggest opposition party the Grand National Party joined hands to block them.

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