President Lee Jae-myung stated on September 18 that he has "no intention of seeking reelection" amid ongoing discussions about his potential for a second term. He also pledged to conduct a comprehensive review of the appointment system following recent controversies surrounding ministerial nominees.
During a press conference at the Blue House, President Lee remarked, "It is constitutionally impossible for me to seek reelection through a constitutional amendment, and I have repeatedly stated that I have never considered it."
However, he reaffirmed the need for constitutional amendments, including the possibility of a presidential reelection system. He noted, "The 1987 Constitution, born from a compromise in political circumstances, no longer fits today’s South Korea," and proposed a constitutional revision through rational discussions between the ruling and opposition parties, as well as public consensus.
Among the proposed amendments are the inclusion of the spirit of the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement and the Busan Uprising in the constitutional preamble, strengthening citizens' basic rights, decentralizing some presidential powers to the National Assembly and local governments, and introducing a presidential reelection system. He dismissed claims of intending to implement a parliamentary system or a dual executive system as "absurd."
President Lee also expressed his commitment to respecting the will of the people in exercising state power, including his appointment authority. He stated, "The sovereignty of the Republic of Korea lies with the people, and all power, including the appointment authority, comes from the people," adding that he would review the appointment system.
He emphasized his determination to achieve balanced national development and complete the administrative capital project. President Lee said, "I will steadfastly pursue balanced national development to overcome the one-pole system in the metropolitan area, which is a fundamental obstacle to stabilizing housing prices, and diversify growth and development hubs."
He further promised to expedite the construction of the administrative capital, which has been long pursued to alleviate congestion in the metropolitan area and achieve balanced national development, stating, "I will open an era of dual capitals with 'Economic Capital Seoul' and 'Administrative Capital Sejong,' similar to New York and Washington."
Regarding the real estate market, he pledged to swiftly implement supply, regulation, and tax policies to stabilize housing prices. President Lee emphasized, "I will ensure the stabilization of the real estate market to avoid the 'lost 30 years' that we will inevitably face if we continue on this path."
He added, "Through the firm and swift execution of supply, regulation, and tax policies, along with sufficient communication with stakeholders, I will minimize confusion and backlash, and I will achieve housing price stability."
On prosecutorial reform, he stated, "I will responsibly complete the irreversible task of prosecutorial reform, which is a historical challenge." He assessed that the separation of investigative and prosecutorial powers through the exclusion of prosecutors' investigative authority and the division of the Public Prosecution Service and the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency has reached its conclusion, but emphasized that there should be no gaps in investigations or violations of human rights during the reform process.
President Lee vowed, "I will thoroughly check and supplement to ensure that not a single unjust victim or small gap occurs," and stated that issues arising from the absence of supplementary investigative powers for prosecutors would be resolved through strict oversight and supplementary measures for police investigations. He also mentioned plans for rigorous police reform to prevent the police, with concentrated investigative powers, from becoming another power institution.
Acknowledging recent declines in government approval ratings and internal conflicts within the ruling party, President Lee accepted responsibility. He said, "It is true that I was taken aback by the sudden disappointment and concerns of the public after the local elections," adding, "The result of my reflection is that 'the people are always right.'"
He admitted, "All of this is due to my shortcomings," and expressed that he had not sufficiently empathized with the conflicts and pains that inevitably arise in the processes of livelihood, reform, and integration, and that his fear and humility had diminished in the face of small achievements and the public's great support.
To his supporters, he appealed for unity, stating, "We are all comrades of the pro-Moon, pro-Roh, pro-Kim Dae-jung, and pro-Lee Jae-myung, who dream of democracy, progress, and reform for a better world," and promised to listen more, communicate, and extend his hand first.
He also declared, "I will become a president of integration who reflects the rational opinions of the majority of the people in governance without losing the values of reform and progress," and stated, "I will prove this not with words but with results, walking the path of livelihood, reform, and integration unwaveringly according to the will of the people."
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.