Former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon said that if an early presidential election is held, the next president must amend the constitution to allow for a four-year term and resign during their term. He noted, "Regarding martial law, there was no choice but to decide on preventing the martial law and impeachment for the sake of the nation and future."
In an interview published with JoongAng Ilbo on the 28th, former leader Han said, "If a presidential election is held this year, the new leader must amend the constitution to establish a four-year term and shorten their term to three years, so that the general election and presidential election can be held together in 2028."
Han said, "If by any chance a presidential election is held this year and I am elected, I will lead the constitutional amendment and resign three years later in 2028," adding that, "The new leader must demonstrate sacrificial leadership to close the door on the old system from 1987, rather than becoming the main character of the new system."
He also stated, "If we keep the district representatives as they are but convert the proportional representatives into upper house members and introduce a bicameral system through major election districts, it will break the regional structure and seat monopolies, allowing checks and balances to be established in the National Assembly," and added, "In Honam, the People Power Party could be elected, and in Yeongnam, members of the Democratic Party could be elected, breaking the regional structure, making it hard to monopolize seats, and establishing checks and balances in the National Assembly."
This is the first time former leader Han has revealed his idea of constitutional amendment based on shortening terms. When asked whether he can keep the promise regarding constitutional amendments, he replied, "Politicians should not engage in embarrassing behavior. Breaking a promise made in front of the people is truly an embarrassing matter."
Regarding his relationship with President Yoon, he said it was "difficult," adding, "If I were not engaged in politics and were a civilian, I would have wanted to help President Yoon personally, and perhaps the president would have asked me, 'Could you come out to help at the Constitutional Court?'"
He also noted, "I must think of the people first and separate myself from the human pain I feel seeing the president's situation."