President Moon Jae-in on Wednesday called for a referendum on constitutional changes that would strip presidents of some of their regal powers and make it possible for them to seek re-election.

"I think it would be good timing to hold a referendum in tandem with regional elections in June next year," Moon told the National Assembly. "I ask you to start working on it so that we don't miss that time."

A constitutional revision was one of Moon's election pledges, and he is apparently frustrated that lawmakers have yet to debate the changes that were widely demanded amid the ouster of ex-President Park Geun-hye.

Moon said he also hopes the electoral system will be revised to reflect voters' choices more fairly. Moon supports limiting excessive presidential authority and devolving more power to regional governments.

A special committee at the National Assembly has been set up to hammer out a draft revision but has been bogged down in cross-party bickering.

