현행 헌법상 대통령제의 개정 방향

The constitutional virtues of the separation of powers are preventing againstgovernment tyranny, avoiding the exercise of arbitrary governmental power, andenhancing governmental efficiency. They are achievable through governmentalstructure. Parliamentary system is vulnerable to prevent the abuse of political power. Semi-presidential system is not fit to achieve governmental efficiency. In theserespects, I think that it is inappropriate to change from presidential system in thecurrent Korean constitution to parliamentary or semi-presidential system byconstitutional amendment. But there are some measures for improving the currentpresidential system. I think that it is desirable to allow presidents to serve two four-year terms insteadof the current single five-year term by constitutional amendment. The current systemthat has been effective for the last three decades since the last amendment in 1987might be suited to the past democratization period, but it has now become a pieceof clothing that no longer fits. Also, it makes it difficult for the government to havecontinuity in some policies. Moreover, the system of prime minister must be abolished. Prime minister is oftenpolitical shields for president in Korea. Whenever a president’s popularity goes down,that is where the Prime Minister gets sacked or is forced to resign, which is ameans by which to reconfigure the political landscape and atmosphere. In this light,The experience of the vice presidency in the U.S. gives suggestions to thepresidential system in the current Korean Constitution. Finally, a regular question time for the president should be introduced byconstitutional amendment. It would serve to mitigate stalemate between the presidentand assembly, especially when that stalemate is aggravated in times of unifiedgovernment. Consequently, it will contribute to improve executive accountability andgovernmental transparency.