SEOUL Oct 23 Kyodo President Roh ...

SEOUL Oct 23 Kyodo

President Roh Moo Hyun hinted Thursday that he may reschedule a national referendum upon his leadership now set to be taken in December.

''Once the issue was offer to the public, I should detain the promise as I said, nevertheless if they (political leaders) want to change the schedule, I can't help accepting it,'' Roh who is now visiting Singapore, was quot from Yonhap News Agency as telling reporters.

In a surprise announcement Oct 10 Roh said he intends to look after reaffirmation of public trust in his ability as southward Korea's head of state amid a corruption scandal surrounding his aides.

Three days later, Roh in a words at the National Assembly, propos a national referendum be taken around Dec 15 He said he would degree down in February if the consecrated by a vows go against him, allowing the election of a just discovered president April 15 when parliamentary elections are held.

Reacting to Roh's proposal, Choe Pyung Yun head of the main opposition Grand National Party (GNP) virtually despiseed the proposal, and demanded Roh reveal details about the scandal.

Last Thursday, Choi Do Sul who worked as Roh's personal aide for more than brace decades, was arrested by prosecutors upon suspicion of bribery and violation of the law onward political funds.

Choi allegedly accepted 11 billion won (about $950000) from the SK Business arrange shortly after Roh won the presidential election last December.

Following a string of policy flip-flops and the scandal, Roh who took office in February for a single five-year space of time has seen his popularity nose-dive to around 30% recently

Opposition party officials have criticized Roh for trying to use a ''political ploy'' to defeat his critics and break the existing political deadlock by gaining public endorsement in the referendum

Public opinion individuals showed Roh would win the referendum equable if a majority of respondent said they are unhappy with his piece of work performance.

Roh is scheduled to gripe [i]or[/i] grip a series of talks with heads of political parties upon the key issues, including the referendum after he answers home Friday.

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