Daegu Mayor Hong Jun-pyo on the 4th expressed his opposition to the constitutional amendment proposed by Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok, who is also the chair of the Association of Mayors of Korea, saying, "I oppose it for now" and "I will share my position on the amendment soon." This suggests the need for a sufficiently discussed amendment. The necessity for constitutional amendment is being actively discussed within the ruling party.
Mayor Hong stated on his Facebook that he received a call from Mayor Yoo's office but "opposes that amendment" and added, "My ideas for the Constitution of the 7th Republic, which prepares for the next 100 years of Korea, are detailed in my book titled 'Opening the Era of the Advanced Nation of the 7th Republic,' which will be published in mid-month."
Mayor Hong remarked, "Rather than the politically tactical amendment theories that have been popping up everywhere like mushrooms after rain, there should be a calm discussion for more than a year on the Constitution of the 7th Republic for the next 100 years of Korea. We should reach an agreement between the ruling and opposition parties and gain public consent before proceeding." He added, "I will clarify my position on the amendment at that time."
Previously, Mayor Yoo held a press conference in the National Assembly that morning, announcing a constitutional amendment that primarily includes a four-year presidential term and the introduction of a bicameral system. The amendment divides the National Assembly into a Senate and a House of Representatives, with the Senate representing the metropolitan governments and the House electing members using the current electoral method.
It also introduced a mixed electoral system and established a system for a vice president, who would be elected in case of the president's vacancy, to succeed. The president, whose term is four years, would be allowed to serve one additional term.
Regarding the controversial Article 84 of the current Constitution, which concerns the president's privilege of not being prosecuted, it explicitly states that only criminal cases arising during their term cannot be prosecuted, and that criminal cases that occurred before the term would not be suspended due to the election of the president.
Additionally, it has explicitly stated 'local legislative authority' so that local governments can realize substantive autonomy, and granted the 'local government tax establishment authority' to allow local governments to add local tax items and rates depending on circumstances. It has also newly established 'autonomous planning authority' to allow local governments to develop local plans differently from laws that uniformly regulate areas such as dwelling, education, environment, and regional planning when necessary.
Mayor Yoo urged, "The four major local consultative bodies have united to prepare a constitutional amendment aimed at political stability and national unity," adding, "As the academia, experts, and the majority of citizens agree on the necessity for an amendment, now is the right time to revise the Constitution, and I hope the 300 members of the National Assembly actively pursue the constitutional amendment."
The council plans to hold a 'National Assembly debate on local autonomy constitutional amendment' jointly with the Korea Constitutional Society, the Korean Association of Constitutional Law, the Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice, and the National Council for Local Autonomy on the 7th at the National Assembly Members' Hall.
After the press conference, Mayor Yoo responded to a question from reporters asking, "Is there no consensus among members of the Association of Mayors given Mayor Hong's opposition?" by saying, "It seems like there was talk of having a plan to provide opinions around mid-month." He added, "The amendment has received the consent of the 17 metropolitan mayors, and while there are some partial differences, I believe there is generally no major disagreement."
In the context of supporting the amendment aimed at 'shortening the presidential term,' four individuals from the ruling party have expressed support, including Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min, and former representative Han Dong-hoon, along with Member of Parliament Ahn Cheol-soo.
Mayor Oh stated after concluding a keynote speech at a regulatory reform forum, "To overcome the chaotic political situation, it is necessary to change the 1987 constitutional system."
Member of Parliament Ahn has already proposed an amendment focused on the next president adopting a four-year term. Former representative Han advocated for an amendment to remove the constitutional clause prohibiting double compensation for military personnel who die in service and to provide checks on the National Election Commission.
On the other hand, Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party, has stated, "It is not yet time," effectively drawing a line against the constitutional amendment focused on shortening the term.