Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn called on the government Tuesday to carry out follow-up measures to prepare for a constitutional revision, such as soliciting public opinion, a day after President Park Geun-hye's surprise proposal for an amendment to the basic law.

"In order to fundamentally address pending issues facing our nation and achieve sustainable development, it is inevitable that we alter the overall framework of our state management through a constitutional revision in line with changes that have taken place so far," Hwang said during a Cabinet meeting.

In her parliamentary speech on Monday, Park said her government would begin "working-level" preparations to rewrite the Constitution, last amended in 1987. She also said the government will set up a body to handle the revision with a view to making the changes within her presidential term that ends in February 2018.

At the Cabinet meeting, Hwang also called on ministers to make "active" efforts to ensure that the budget plans -- worth 400.7 trillion won ($353.3 billion) -- for next year will pass the National Assembly on time. The legislature is required by law to pass the budget bill by Dec. 2, although it frequently misses the deadline.

The prime minister, in addition, stressed the importance of close cooperation between the government, enterprises and workers so as to make the next economic "leap" forward amid a series of economic challenges from home and abroad. (Yonhap)