National Assembly Speaker Cho Jeong-sik said, "On restructuring the power structure, the issue of a constitutional amendment to allow the incumbent president to serve consecutive terms ultimately comes down to the sovereign people's choice," adding, "It is a matter that various political stakeholders must agree on."
Cho held his first press briefing since taking office at the National Assembly on the morning of the 28th. When reporters asked, "The opposition cites as the ultimate reason for opposing a constitutional amendment the issue of extending President Lee Jae-myung's term," Cho said, "Isn't it premature to argue this and that about the issue of a constitutional amendment for consecutive terms by the incumbent president?" and added, "On restructuring the power structure, the issue of a constitutional amendment to allow the incumbent president to serve consecutive terms ultimately comes down to the sovereign people's choice."
He went on, "It is a matter that various political stakeholders must agree on," and said, "(Allowing an incumbent president to serve consecutive terms) will also become an issue within a constitutional amendment bill, and won't opinions be gathered through a constitutional amendment advisory committee or a special committee on constitutional amendment?"
In addition, National Assembly Speaker Cho Jeong-sik presented a specific roadmap for pursuing a constitutional amendment. He noted that on Constitution Day he had said, "The 22nd National Assembly should push for the 10th constitutional amendment," and emphasized, "From the founding constitution to the 1987 amendment, there were nine constitutional revisions over about 40 years, and since next year marks 40 years again, a new amendment is necessary."
Cho added, "Since 2027 is a year with no nationwide elections, it is the right time to pursue a constitutional amendment," and said, "Our position is to continue discussions swiftly yet prudently over roughly the next year and a half."
Regarding the procedure for pursuing a constitutional amendment, Cho explained, "We will soon launch a speaker-affiliated Constitutional Amendment Advisory Committee to organize the roadmap and key agendas for amendment, and at an appropriate time afterward we will form a special committee on constitutional amendment with participation from both the ruling and opposition parties." On the specific timing for reaching an agreement on an amendment bill, he said, "It is hard to say definitively," but added, "We are aiming for the middle to latter half of next year."