Hong Ik-pyo, senior presidential secretary for political affairs at Cheong Wa Dae, on the 29th said of National Assembly Speaker Cho Jeong-sik's remarks about a "constitutional amendment for an incumbent president's second term," "Under the current Constitution, a constitutional amendment including a presidential second term is realistically impossible." The day before, Speaker Cho said at a press briefing at the National Assembly, "The issue of a constitutional amendment for an incumbent president ultimately comes down to the people's choice," which sparked controversy as it was interpreted as keeping in mind the possibility of President Lee Jae-myung's second term, and Cheong Wa Dae dismissed it.
Hong said on MBC Radio that morning, "I have never thought about a constitutional amendment for a second term, nor have I ever thought it was possible," adding as follows. Under the current Constitution, a constitutional amendment to extend the president's term or to change the single-term limit has no effect on the president in office at the time the amendment is proposed. Even if the ruling bloc were to immediately push for a "presidential term extension," it could not apply to President Lee.
Hong said, "The president has also said multiple times that 'a constitutional amendment for a second term is not possible' and that 'it is impossible under the current Constitution,'" adding, "The president is already well aware of this and has repeated it several times."
In particular, regarding claims in some quarters that Speaker Cho, who was called "pro-Myung" and "Myung's pick" from the National Assembly speakership race, was in sync with Cheong Wa Dae and made the constitutional amendment remarks, Hong called it a "conspiracy theory," adding, "Yesterday at Cheong Wa Dae we considered issuing a position, but since it was the speaker's remarks, we conveyed the view that it would be better for the speaker's office to offer an explanation."
Regarding writer Yoo Si-min's recent criticism of President Lee and his call for a political realignment, Hong said, "Cheong Wa Dae has never planned any discussion of political realignment." He added, "Political realignment is discussed when the ruling party is a minority, or when it is no longer feasible to contest elections as a party," and said, "The Democratic Party ranks No. 1 in party approval and holds more than 160 seats on its own, so there is not a single reason to pursue a political realignment."
◇ "New wine in new wineskins," even with Jung Sung-ho's offer to resign, Blue House says, "not an official expression"
On the future of Minister Jung Sung-ho of the Ministry of Justice, who offered to resign, Hong maintained the position that "there has been no official expression of resignation." Hong said, "Prosecution reform is underway, and the Public Prosecution Service and the Serious Crime Investigation Service must be launched in October, so I think the minister in charge should play a role until this issue is settled and institutionally established."
Earlier, Minister Jung appeared at the National Assembly and said he had already offered to resign, saying, "New wine should be put into new wineskins," but Cheong Wa Dae said it was "not true" and has not given a direct answer. Over the years, Minister Jung has opposed the complete abolition of the supplementary investigation authority, noting concerns that people could suffer harm due to the police's inadequate investigations. In particular, spurred by the "Jang Yun-gi case," public opinion in various surveys has shown strong support for leaving an exceptional supplementary investigation authority in place, but the Democratic Party said it will put to a vote at the National Assembly plenary session on the 30th an amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act centered on completely abolishing the supplementary investigation authority.