CONFIDENTIAL
Classification
Charge:
SENT TO: SecState WASHINGTON 1304 ROUTINE
RPT INFO: TOKYO 422
Control:
Date: June 9, 1960 9:00PM
National Assembly June 8 approved Steering Committee recommendation to introduce constitutional amendment bill to plenary session June 10. In comment on this action, Speaker KWAK Sang-hun expressed hope that bill could be put to vote June 11 and urged attendance all Assemblymen to “achieve historic task of realizing long-sought for cabinet-responsible form of government.”
Beginning today, Assembly plans meet morning and afternoon, with possibility night sessions, if necessary to complete action on maximum possible number major reform bills, as well as supplementary budget introduced by government. Priority action reportedly will be given to National Assembly dection law amendment (which already before plenary session), bill to establish independent election committees, amendment of Local Autonomy Law, and amendment Government Organization Law to conform with new constitution. Present indications are that police reform bill, replacement of MG Ordinances 55 and 88, and amendment Fiscal saw introduced by government to establish commission for review public utility rates, probably will not be taken up until after passage constitutional amendment. It even possible that final action on certain these bills, as well as on less important bills introduced past several weeks, will be deferred until new Assembly.
COMMENT: Although constitutional amendment bill may not be put to vote by June 11, prospects now very favorable for prompt passage, possibly by June 15 at latest. Leaders within Assembly and interim government were encouraged by outcome abortive Tangkuk University student demonstration May 31 (Embtel 1251) which they regarded as firm indication student and public opinion continues support passage constitutional amendment by present Assembly.
Last-ditch effort by minority elements to obstruct Assembly deliberations by staging demonstrations cannot be discounted. It not likely, however, that these will seriously delay proceedings. Huh government, June 8, issued warning that “stern action” would be taken against further disorders. Although this move apparently directed chiefly to continuing small-scale, scattered student and labor agitation, it may also indicate government prepared deal firmly with any outside attempt obstruct Assembly consideration constitutional amendment.
Within Assembly, majority DP and LP, including more than 100 Liberals who recently seceded from party, appear determined push favorable action on constitutional amendment; DP legislators also reported have agreed June 8 to seek passage without further change. Only resistance now being expressed privately to passage amendment centers in small group Liberals formerly associated with YI Pom-sok's Racial Youth Corps and certain younger members DP new faction. Even these elements, however, appear realize there now little chance defeat amendment or even significantly delay final action.
Key procedural factor in obtaining favorable action on constitutional amendment is provision for roll-call vote. Amendment National Assembly Law this effect approved by plenary session June 1 and promptly promulgated by government. Even those few Assemblymen who opposed to passage have indicated to Embassy officers their reluctance go on record this effect. On roll-call vote, moreover, it seems unlikely that many of approximately 175 Assemblymen who signed bill would feel free cast negative vote. (Passage of amendment will require 146 votes, two-thirds of 218 members now duly elected and seated.) For majority those opposed to passage, most feasible course action would appear be to absent themselves from session, although even this would risk public censure. Speaker's call for full attendance undoubtedly effort to insure presence quorum, and it seems unlikely that bill will fail pass because quorum cannot be obtained.
McCONAUGHY
POL: DLRanard DCM: MGreen
TPShoesmith: cv