Opposition Criticizes Speaker Cho Jung-sik's Comments on Presidential Term Limits

The opposition criticized comments made by National Assembly Speaker Cho Jung-sik on July 28, stating that the issue of re-election for the sitting president ultimately rests with the people's choice. They accused him of revealing hidden motives.

Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, spoke to reporters at the National Assembly, saying, "There are discussions about how long the remaining four years of the term will be. How much more suffering do you want to inflict on the people by discussing Lee Jae-myung's re-election?"

He pointed out that the Democratic Party has previously mentioned constitutional amendments in relation to the spirit of the May 18 movement and reforms to the National Election Commission, stating, "If the president simply said, 'I will never seek re-election,' it would be much easier to initiate discussions on constitutional amendments. He has never said that, and now he has finally revealed his true intentions."

Jang warned, "If the president pursues a constitutional amendment for re-election, going against the will of the people and the spirit of the current constitution, that would be true treason. Will the people tolerate this?"

Floor leader Jeong Jeom-sik also criticized the situation on Facebook, saying, "It is absurd that we are in a situation where such discussions are necessary. I hope the government focuses on proper governance," adding that they would not engage in any discussions regarding constitutional amendments that include the president's re-election plans.

Park Chung-kwon, the party's chief spokesperson, issued a statement saying, "To talk about constitutional amendments while ignoring the collapsed separation of powers and a dysfunctional National Assembly is to admit that one is solely focused on political self-interest and accumulating achievements. Discussions on extending terms are a dangerous idea that undermines the principles of democracy."

Lee Seong-kwon, a member of the 'Alternatives and Future' group of first- and second-term lawmakers from the People Power Party, stated, "It is abnormal for the head of the legislative branch, which should check the executive branch, to act as a bodyguard for the president. Speaker Cho, who has diminished the authority of the National Assembly, should take responsibility and resign."

Lee Jun-seok, leader of the Reform Party, expressed on his Facebook, "On a day when the stock market is in panic, discussions about the president's re-election are taking place. Are we discussing the re-election of Byun Hak-do?"

Independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon criticized the situation, stating, "The Lee Jae-myung administration is preparing for a constitutional amendment for re-election in anticipation of difficulties with the cancellation of Lee Jae-myung's indictment. This is an unacceptable path toward dictatorship."

In response to the controversy sparked by Cho's remarks, Han Hyun-joo, the spokesperson for the National Assembly Speaker's office, clarified in a briefing that Cho's comments were based on the principle that discussions on constitutional amendments should proceed with public consensus and political agreement. He emphasized that Cho is fully aware of Article 128, Section 2 of the Constitution, which states that any constitutional amendment regarding the extension or change of the president's term does not apply to the sitting president at the time of the proposal.