LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
NO. 177
FROM: SEOUL
DATE: SEPT. 8, 1954
RECD: SEPT. 9, 7.40 AM
177, Sept. 8, 7 P.M.
Tokyo pass Cincunc and CAG
After nearly two months delay Liberal Party submitted constitutional amendment bill to National Assembly September 6. 136 Assemblymen (2/3 majority) supported motion introducing bill. President Rhee is expected make official announcement September 9 in accordance ROK constitution which requires 30-day announcement period before vote.
While official text not yet available, amendment bill as publicly reported provides that:
1. Popular referendum will be held on matters concerning limitation of national sovereignty or territorial changes.
2. After upper house is formed, decision by lower house on national budget will prevail.
3. Upper house will have right of confirmation of appointment of Chief Justice, Ambassadors, and other high officials.
4. Office of Prime Minister and system of cabinet responsibility will be abolished.
5. Individual cabinet members must resign following vote of non-confidence by lower house (simple majority vote).
6. Vice-President will become President for unexpired Presidential term of office if Presidency becomes vacant. (Provision is also made for succession in event of Vice-Presidents death).
7. Constitutional legality of courts-martial will be established.
8. Economic provisions will be shifted away from idea of state-controlled economy and towards free enterprise.
9. Constitutional provision prohibiting re-election of President more than once shall not apply to present encumbent.
Twenty or twenty-five post-election adherents to Liberal Party are believed to oppose third term for Rhee. Since these assemblymen have signed motion introducing amendment bill they will presumably be free from official pressures before vote. Many however are expected to oppose the amendments on secret ballot. Divisions within Liberal Party remain great and Yi Ki-Pung has been unable satisfy dissident groups. With few exceptions independent and opposition assemblymen are expected to oppose bill, mainly because of third term for Rhee and desire to prevent abolition of Prime Minister system.
Liberal Party provincial branches in cooperation with Home Ministry are planning organized "popular demonstrations" throughout country in support of bill. Although possibility exists that combination of such demonstrations and covert pressure and financial inducements with reference individual assemblymen may be sufficient to produce 2/3 majority vote, and although Liberal Party leaders now express confidence, passage of amendments is still very much in doubt.
Liberal Party and administration are spreading rumors that unless bill is passed political crisis on same scale as June 1952 will result. Therefore, it is implied, passage is essential in order preserve internal stability. While Rhee is probably determined to obtain amendments (which are much less extreme than his original demands), changes in military and political situation since 1952 may perhaps restrain him from going as far as he did then in order manipulate National Assembly.
BRIGGS
7 copies/e mc
