President Lee Jae-myung has proposed a constitutional amendment to change the presidential term to a four-year, two-term system and to decentralize some powers. This has sparked a flurry of debate within conservative circles. While many hold a negative view, some members of the People Power Party have suggested that the opposition should engage in discussions about the amendment, provided that the president declares he will not seek re-election.
On the 17th, according to the People Power Party, Representative Kim Tae-ho stated on his Facebook page the day before, "If President Lee shows his intention not to seek re-election, I believe both parties can sincerely begin discussions on constitutional amendments."
Kim emphasized, "If it is something that can help South Korean politics move forward and is for the benefit of the people, I will engage in dialogue with anyone."
In contrast, party leader Jang Dong-hyuk and other leaders maintain a negative stance toward the president's proposed amendment. During a protest against infringement of voting rights on August 15 at Olympic Park in Songpa, Seoul, Jang raised his voice, saying, "We must ensure that Lee Jae-myung's re-election amendment is blocked at all costs."
Chief Spokesperson Park Seong-hoon also spoke with reporters at the National Assembly the same day, stating, "The president's push for a constitutional amendment is a 'build-up' process to avoid prosecution after leaving office through an amendment that would allow for re-election. This discussion is being misused for personal protection, unrelated to the people or their livelihoods."
Earlier, floor leader Jeong Jeom-sik criticized the amendment on his Facebook page on the 14th, saying, "No matter how you phrase it with terms like 'decentralized' or 'issues with the imperial presidency' or 'strengthening the National Assembly's powers,' the essence remains the same. It is an attempt at a 'prison break' through constitutional amendments to escape the president's judicial risks."
He added, "If the president truly has even a shred of sincerity regarding the amendment, he should come forward and promise, 'There will be no re-election' and 'I will face trial immediately.' Without such promises, the government and ruling party's discussions on constitutional amendments will not gain any cooperation from the opposition."
Opposition to the president's proposed amendment is widespread not only within the People Power Party but also across the conservative spectrum. The Reformist Party issued a statement on the 14th through spokesperson Lee Dong-hoon, saying, "There are repeated mentions of 'the people's choice' from those around the president. Do not try to deceive the public by hiding the possibility of extending power behind the guise of constitutional amendments. The president should first declare he will not seek re-election."
Independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon also issued a strong message against conditional amendments. On the same day, he stated on Facebook, "The president's proposed constitutional amendment will ultimately serve to resolve Lee Jae-myung's judicial risks. We must not fall into the trap of the 'Lee Jae-myung amendment' frame, even if it is conditional. We must protect the constitutional barrier that the people have worked hard to maintain."
Meanwhile, President Lee stated on August 13 on his X (formerly Twitter) account, "My pledge and consistent position is to propose a constitutional amendment to change the presidential term to a four-year, two-term system, enabling responsible politics through mid-term evaluations and strengthening local autonomy and the basic rights of the people."
He added, "If shortening the presidential term is necessary for the amendment, I am willing to accept that, which was my official position during the 2022 presidential election, and that thought remains unchanged."
On the 17th, according to the People Power Party, Representative Kim Tae-ho stated on his Facebook page the day before, "If President Lee shows his intention not to seek re-election, I believe both parties can sincerely begin discussions on constitutional amendments."
Kim emphasized, "If it is something that can help South Korean politics move forward and is for the benefit of the people, I will engage in dialogue with anyone."
In contrast, party leader Jang Dong-hyuk and other leaders maintain a negative stance toward the president's proposed amendment. During a protest against infringement of voting rights on August 15 at Olympic Park in Songpa, Seoul, Jang raised his voice, saying, "We must ensure that Lee Jae-myung's re-election amendment is blocked at all costs."
Chief Spokesperson Park Seong-hoon also spoke with reporters at the National Assembly the same day, stating, "The president's push for a constitutional amendment is a 'build-up' process to avoid prosecution after leaving office through an amendment that would allow for re-election. This discussion is being misused for personal protection, unrelated to the people or their livelihoods."
Earlier, floor leader Jeong Jeom-sik criticized the amendment on his Facebook page on the 14th, saying, "No matter how you phrase it with terms like 'decentralized' or 'issues with the imperial presidency' or 'strengthening the National Assembly's powers,' the essence remains the same. It is an attempt at a 'prison break' through constitutional amendments to escape the president's judicial risks."
He added, "If the president truly has even a shred of sincerity regarding the amendment, he should come forward and promise, 'There will be no re-election' and 'I will face trial immediately.' Without such promises, the government and ruling party's discussions on constitutional amendments will not gain any cooperation from the opposition."
Opposition to the president's proposed amendment is widespread not only within the People Power Party but also across the conservative spectrum. The Reformist Party issued a statement on the 14th through spokesperson Lee Dong-hoon, saying, "There are repeated mentions of 'the people's choice' from those around the president. Do not try to deceive the public by hiding the possibility of extending power behind the guise of constitutional amendments. The president should first declare he will not seek re-election."
Independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon also issued a strong message against conditional amendments. On the same day, he stated on Facebook, "The president's proposed constitutional amendment will ultimately serve to resolve Lee Jae-myung's judicial risks. We must not fall into the trap of the 'Lee Jae-myung amendment' frame, even if it is conditional. We must protect the constitutional barrier that the people have worked hard to maintain."
Meanwhile, President Lee stated on August 13 on his X (formerly Twitter) account, "My pledge and consistent position is to propose a constitutional amendment to change the presidential term to a four-year, two-term system, enabling responsible politics through mid-term evaluations and strengthening local autonomy and the basic rights of the people."
He added, "If shortening the presidential term is necessary for the amendment, I am willing to accept that, which was my official position during the 2022 presidential election, and that thought remains unchanged."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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