The Blue House clarified that President Lee Jae-myung's remarks regarding 'term limits' indicate that he will not consider the possibility of a second term. The president is expected to provide a clearer stance on the matter in a public setting soon.
Seong Gi-hong, the Blue House's chief of public communication, stated on MBC Radio on September 10 that President Lee's comment during a meeting with Korean expatriates in France—"My term is clearly limited by the Constitution"—is interpreted to mean that a second term is impossible under the current constitutional order and cannot be considered.
When asked if the president's statement could be understood as a declaration not to seek re-election, Seong responded affirmatively. He also noted that there may be opportunities for the president to express his views more directly in future public engagements.
Previously, Hong Ik-pyo, the Blue House's chief of political affairs, indicated that President Lee would clarify his position on the matter soon.
Regarding the government's contributions to the normalization of the Hormuz Strait, Seong stated that no conclusions have been reached yet. He mentioned that various options for responsible contributions are being considered, but no specific plans have been finalized.
He highlighted the possibility of providing technical support as an alternative to deploying military personnel. Seong explained, "We could consider sending combat or non-combat troops, but we can also wisely explore other forms of contribution that do not involve deployment."
On the controversies surrounding Kim Seung-won, the nominee for Minister of Justice, and Yong Hye-in, the nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, Seong expressed that the Blue House would monitor the National Assembly's confirmation hearing process. He stated, "We will assess the candidates based on the explanations provided during the official hearing and the public's expectations."
Regarding the allegations against Kim concerning requests for clinical trial approvals for new drugs, Seong noted that this matter had been investigated by the prosecution during the previous administration and resulted in a decision not to indict. He indicated that this information was considered during the personnel verification process.
As for Yong's dual role as a member of the National Assembly, Seong emphasized that the candidate's own judgment should take precedence. He stated that Yong should clarify her position or make a decision that the public can accept, taking into account past cases, precedents, and the circumstances of her political party.
Meanwhile, regarding the special prosecutor law proposed by the Democratic Party, Seong remarked that it would not be appropriate for the legislation to appear to target a specific president. He emphasized that the focus should be on determining whether there was any illegality in the indictment process, adding that the Blue House could provide separate opinions if necessary.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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