한국에서의 분권형 개헌 논의 -쟁점과 토론-

This paper examines the debate in Korea over alternative systems of government, including the two-term four-year presidential system, the decentralized presidential system and the parliamentary system. The two-term four-year presidential system, the decentralized presidential system, and the parliamentary system are undergoing various discussions. To provide background understanding to this discussion, this paper will examine the two-term four–year presidential system and the decentralized presidential system (semi-presidential system) as alternative systems to resolve the problems of the current Korean presidential system, focusing on the benefits of decentralization of government. Especially, the decentralized presidential system was divided into president-centered decentralization type and prime minister-centered decentralization type. In the discussion of special committee on the constitutional amendment of the National Assembly, the preference for the decentralized presidential system (semi-presidential system) was the highest, but there is also a conflict between how to distribute the authority to the president and the prime minister. In addition, conflicts over the distribution of powers and the instability of state administration have been on the rise. This problem may not be solved by the constitutional description, but it is not fatal in the case of foreign countries. As suggested in many domestic discussions, ideally, a parliamentary system is desirable, but in view of the preference for the presidential system of the people, it is judged that a decentralized presidential system is preferable as an alternative. Amongst the advantages of the decentralized presidential system, it is thought that giving the prime minister more power and giving the president a supremacy as the head of state can reduce the conflict between the president and the prime minister, while simultaneously exerting the power of the parliament. So once the prime minister and the cabinet hold the initiative, the president suggests that it is desirable to form a step-by-step empowerment in the manner of monitoring.