The office of National Assembly Speaker Cho Jeong-sik said on the 28th that the speaker's remarks on a "constitutional amendment to extend the presidential term" were "not intended to mean the re-election of President Lee Jae-myung." It said it is fully aware that, under Article 128 of the Constitution, a constitutional amendment does not apply to the president in office at the time the amendment is proposed. Still, as the People Power Party opposes a constitutional amendment on the grounds of the "possibility of President Lee's re-election," there are concerns that the latest remarks by the head of the legislature could cement the opposition party's stance. It is an issue that could also weaken momentum for constitutional reform.
Jang Hyun-joo, senior secretary for public communications at the speaker's office, said at a briefing that "the speaker's answer on restructuring the power structure in relation to a constitutional amendment reflects a principled position that it should proceed based on public consensus and political agreement," adding that "reports that the possibility of the incumbent president's re-election was left open are completely different from the intent of the remarks." Jang also said, "We are fully aware of the constitutional provision that a constitutional amendment to extend the presidential term or change the number of terms does not apply to the president in office at the time the amendment is proposed."
Asked next whether he believes a "four-year two-term or consecutive-term constitutional amendment" is needed, Jang said, "I don't think this is the stage to spell out specific intentions," adding, "A constitutional amendment requires public consensus and political consensus. A roadmap for constitutional reform could be to operate a special committee or committee that will fully gather and hear such opinions." On whether there was any message from the Blue House after the speaker's remarks, Jang said, "As far as I know, there has been no direct comment."
The remarks in question came at a meeting that Speaker Cho held for the first time since taking office. In response to a question asking what he thought about the opposition bloc opposing a constitutional amendment out of concern over the possibility of extending President Lee Jae-myung's term, Cho answered, "The issue of a constitutional amendment concerning the re-election of an incumbent president is ultimately a matter for the sovereign people to choose, and it depends on how the political stakeholders reach an agreement."
In response, the People Power Party urged a halt to constitutional amendment discussions, saying the Democratic Party had stoked the "fires to extend its rule" for President Lee's re-election. Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok said, "President Lee Jae-myung took lawmaker Cho Jeong-sik as a special adviser (presidential special adviser for political affairs) and seems to have given him special training to carry out such a constitutional amendment," adding, "Because the abolition of supplementary investigation authority has roiled Korea, and all systems including real estate and the stock market have been wrecked, are you talking about Lee Jae-myung's re-election at a moment like this?"