Opposition Democratic Party leader Sohn Hak - kyu on Sunday dismissed politicians ’ demands for constitutional amendment , saying the general public had no interest in the issue . “ Talk of a constitutional revision will come up again as soon as the Seoul G 20 summit is over in November , and that isn ’ t right , ” Sohn was quoted as saying by Yonhap News . “ The people are not interested in a constitutional amendment and it ’ s not like it will improve the economy . ” The ruling bloc has sought to amend the constitution , last revised in 1987 , as early as this year to largely split the power concentrated on the president . A majority of the ruling Grand National Party who have supported President Lee Myung - bak since his intra - party competition to run for president , such as party chairman Ahn Sang - soo , call for a system where the president shares more of his authority with the prime minister . Lee ’ s political archrival and the GNP ’ s leading presidential hopeful Park Geun - hye wants a different system where the president can be re - elected for two consecutive four - year terms . Ahn Sang - soo “ ( The drive for ) constitutional amendment is no more than a political play . Those who want to discuss it now are simply trying to distract political attention to somewhere else , ” Sohn said . “ A four - year presidential term and allowing re - election could be considered if really necessary for responsible governance , but the president can still do a lot of work under the current five - year single term system . ” Sohn also downplayed the ruling bloc ’ s move to shift from the current single - member constituency system to having multiple elected officials represent a larger electorate as part of efforts to tackle deep - rooted regionalism . The southeastern Gyeongsang provinces are often dominated by the conservative GNP and the southwestern Jeolla provinces by the liberal DP . “ I don ’ t think it would solve everything , ” he said . “ The elections for local councilors , county and ward chiefs are based on the medium electorate system and several DP councilors get elected , but not to the extent of changing the political composition . ” Sohn suggested instead applying the national share of votes to each region to elect some of the candidates who lost as proportional representatives . Sohn Hak - kyu The recently elected DP leader has said that the constitutional amendment should be discussed by the next administration . GNP leader Ahn Sang - soo said that wasn ’ t a good idea . “ I don ’ t think the issue can be determined by several people in the ( party ) leadership , ” Ahn was quoted as saying by Yonhap News . “ Former President Kim Dae - jung had promised to adopt a parliamentary cabinet system through alliances with Kim Jong - pil and got elected as the president , but the promise was never kept . I don ’ t approve of Sohn ’ s proposal . ” Along with Minister of Special Affairs Lee Jae - oh , GNP floor leader Kim Moo - sung and even Seoul Mayor Oh Se - hoon , Ahn has raised the need for a constitutional amendment . “ Once the Seoul G 20 summit is successfully concluded , we should start discussing constitutional revision based on a variety of ideas , ” Ahn said . GNP ’ s strongest presidential frontrunner Park , however , has spared her words on the issue as she is in no hurry . Park recognizes the need for a constitutional revision , but does not believe it is the right time yet , according to those close to the former GNP chairwoman . “ The general public does not identify with the issue at all especially when they are so concerned about the economy , ” said a pro - Park legislator . Besides , the more the constitutional amendment is focused on revamping the power structure rather than meeting demands from the people to keep up with changes , it becomes nothing but political scheming , he said . By Kim So - hyun ( sophie @ heraldm . com )