Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, noted that discussions on constitutional amendments, such as the four-year presidential term extension, should be postponed until after the early presidential election. However, he emphasized that a "one-point constitutional amendment," which includes the spirit of the May 18 Gwangju democratization movement and strengthens the conditions for the president's martial law declaration, is possible.
During a Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in Seoul on the morning of the 7th, Lee said, “The four-year presidential term extension, intermediate term system, runoff voting system, strengthening of decentralization, and enhancement of citizens' basic rights are highly contentious issues that may not yield results but could intensify debates and potentially cause a division in public opinion.”
The Democratic Party argues that a national referendum on the constitutional amendment cannot be held alongside the 21st presidential election. The party observes that a national referendum must achieve a majority through only the main votes since early voting is not allowed, and it expects that the turnout will be low.
Lee stated, “Although we need to amend the constitution, there is an obstacle in the form of the national referendum law,” adding, “Since early voting is not permitted under the national referendum law, if we want to amend the constitution simultaneously, we cannot hold amendment voting at early voting sites.” He emphasized, “The likelihood of not achieving a majority is very high.”
Lee further remarked, “It is practically difficult to conduct both the presidential election and a constitutional amendment within 60 days,” but he noted that “certain forces that expect to obscure the issue with the constitutional amendment should not try to cover up the issue of rebellion with the constitutional amendment.”
However, he mentioned that if the national referendum law is amended, it is possible to strengthen the conditions for the president's martial law declaration and incorporate the spirit of the May 18 democratization movement into the constitution. He asserted that a constitutional amendment could be made on issues that both the Democratic Party and the People Power Party can agree upon, stressing that other contentious issues, such as the presidential intermediate term system and re-election system, should be postponed until after the presidential election.
Lee emphasized, “While constitutional amendment is important right now, focusing on preventing the destruction of democracy and recovering from rebellion is much more critical,” adding, “These issues (constitutional amendments) should be promised by each presidential candidate to the public and can be amended as quickly as possible after the presidential election.”