President Lee Jae-myung on the 14th said constitutional amendment talks should be led by the National Assembly based on bipartisan agreement. He reaffirmed his existing plan to change the presidential term to a four-year two-term or consecutive-term system and to disperse some powers concentrated in the presidency to the National Assembly. He also again said he could shorten his own term if needed to make a constitutional amendment happen. However, he drew a line against shifting to a semi-presidential system or a parliamentary cabinet system.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) that day, Lee said, "A large majority of the public agrees that we need to amend the constitution because our constitution of 40 years ago does not fit our times," adding, "My position on the contents of a constitutional amendment has not changed."
He added, "If we actually amend the constitution, it is desirable for the specifics to be set in the National Assembly through bipartisan agreement."
Lee suggested that, in the amendment process, powers concentrated in the presidency should be shared with the National Assembly. He said, "We should stipulate the spirit of May 18 and the Buma Uprising in the preamble of the constitution and adjust the powers of the president and the legislature by transferring to the National Assembly such authorities as the Board of Audit and Inspection's jurisdiction, the prime minister recommendation power, and parts of appointment authority among the presidential powers that are even assessed as imperial."
He went on, "We should change the presidential term to a four-year two-term or four-year consecutive-term system so that responsible politics through a midterm evaluation becomes possible," adding, "Strengthening local autonomy and the basic rights of the people is my campaign pledge and has been my consistent position."
He also said he could shorten his presidential term if necessary for a constitutional amendment. Lee said, "My official position during the 2022 presidential election was that I could accept shortening the presidential term if needed for a constitutional amendment," adding, "That view has not changed."
By contrast, he made clear his negative stance on introducing a semi-presidential system that splits powers between the president and the prime minister or a parliament-centered cabinet system. On the two systems, Lee stressed, "They are not desirable and, in light of public opinion, not feasible," adding, "It is wrong to understand the argument to distribute some presidential powers to the National Assembly and others as a semi-presidential or parliamentary cabinet system."
Lee's direct explanation of his amendment plan followed reports that he mentioned the possibility of shortening his term at a recent closed-door golf meeting with senior lawmakers from both parties. Early last month, Lee held a golf meeting with senior lawmakers from both parties, including Kim Tae-ho of the People Power Party, and he was said to have made remarks to the effect that "we must amend the constitution even if it means shortening my term."