Presidential candidates are trying to display their will for political reform, including measures to eliminate corruption and ways of revising the Constitution, as the Dec. 19 presidential race approaches its final stage.


Lee Hoi-chang of the Grand National Party (GNP) presented a seven-point reform plan Sunday in an attempt to reverse the current atmosphere, which is unfavorable for him. Lee, a second-time presidential bidder, is in a close contest with Roh Moo-hyun of the Millennium Democratic Party (MDP), who is leading Lee.


Engaged in a close race, both Lee and Roh have presented lists of reform plans designed to develop politics and eliminate corruption.


Constitutional Revision


In a news conference Sunday, Lee said that if elected in the Dec. 19 election, he would push for a constitutional revision within his tenure.


He said all options would be openly debated, including the Cabinet system and the U.S.-style four-year two-term presidential system.


Lee, who has long been leading the majority GNP, vowed not to allow incumbent lawmakers to participate in the new government for the separation of the legislative, administrative and judicial authorities.


Roh, who was selected as the unified candidate for the MDP and National Alliance 21 led by Chung Mong-joon, earlier vowed to seek a constitutional amendment to put an end to the ``imperialistic presidency.’’


In an agreement with Rep. Chung, Roh promised to propose a revision bill for the Constitution at the end of the next 17th National Assembly, which will be formed after the general election in 2004.


Before the constitutional revision, Roh said he would utilize a system giving more power to the prime minister within the scope of the current Constitution. Under the new system, Roh added, the president would focus on external affairs, such as foreign affairs and inter-Korean unification, by entrusting domestic affairs to the prime minister.


Measures to Eradicate Corruption


Lee said he would form a People’s Committee for Political Reform, composed of specialists from various walks of life, as soon as he takes office.


In a symbolic gesture to remain free from corruption, the 67-year-old former judge vowed to donate his assets to the poor upon his inauguration.


The conservative candidate also said he would appoint independent prosecutors to carry out a fair and thorough investigation of all the corruption cases that people harbor suspicions about, including the National Intelligence Service’s alleged wiretapping activities.


``The president cannot be free from the special counsel system,’’ Lee said. ``I will resign as head of state, if I and my family members are found to be involved in influence-peddling scandals.’’


Lee restated that he would refrain from political retaliation, saying he would make the best administration by employing competent figures, even if they had worked for the current Kim Dae-jung government.


Roh, a reform-minded politician, who suffered serious blows to his popularity due to a spate of corruption scandals involving government officials and President Kim’s relatives, said he would form a special agency to investigate corrupt practices by high-level government officials, including the president and the first family.


He added he would adopt a special prosecutor system on a temporary basis to ensure independent inquiries into influence-peddling scandals and other irregularities, while extending the statute of limitations on corruption cases.


Roh reiterated he would practice politics spending less money on the country’s political reform. He added he would also try to change politics into being centered on party members, instead of being led by one boss.


The human rights lawyer turned presidential hopeful said he would also make high-ranking government officials explain how they accumulated their assets and make it mandatory for their close relatives to register their properties with the authorities.


Roh is also considering introducing an upward nomination system for intra-party democratization and shifting the current small constituency system into a large or medium-sized one.

jinryu@koreatimes.co.kr