S. Korean Assembly Gets Legislation to Amend Constitution
SEOUL, South Korea — A bill amending the constitution was submitted Friday to the National Assembly. If approved as expected, it would open a new era of democracy in South Korea and allow direct election of the president for the first time in 16 years.
The constitution bill was sponsored by all but eight of the 272 members of the National Assembly, which is to vote on it Oct. 12.
It will be put to a national referendum Oct. 26 or 27 under a timetable agreed upon by the ruling Democratic Justice Party and the main opposition Reunification Democratic Party. Public approval is seen as certain.
The new constitution is to take effect Feb. 25, one day after President Chun Doo Hwan steps down at the end of his term after his successor is picked in a mid-December election.
The new constitution was shaped in unprecedented negotiations between the ruling party and the opposition after violent anti-government protests last June calling for democratic reforms.
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