Jang Dong-hyuk Urges President Lee Jae-myung to Declare Renunciation of Re-election Bid
On the 7th, President Lee Jae-myung held a consultative meeting on people's livelihood and the economy involving the ruling and opposition parties and the government at Cheong Wa Dae, requesting cooperation on constitutional amendment. In response, Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, urged the president to first declare his position not to seek re-election before constitutional amendment discussions. Choi Bo-yoon, chief spokesperson for the People Power Party, told reporters immediately after the meeting that President Lee avoided a direct answer to Representative Jang's suggestion.
For a constitutional amendment bill to pass the National Assembly, a two-thirds majority of 197 votes is required out of the total 295 members, a figure that necessitates at least 10 members from the People Power Party to agree.
On the 8th, Representative Jang reiterated on Facebook, questioning why a simple statement like 'I will only serve one term as president' is so difficult. He argued that lengthy explanations suggest ulterior motives and an admission of a desire for a second term. Cheong Wa Dae refuted this, stating it was 'entirely untrue' and that President Lee cannot amend the currently proposed constitutional amendment bill, especially given the opposition party has secured enough votes to block its passage.
In reality, the constitutional amendment bill approved at the State Council meeting on the 6th did not include provisions regarding term limits or extensions. Even if constitutional amendments allowing for term extensions were enacted, they would not apply to the president proposing them at the time.
Kim Tae-nyeon, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party of Korea, called the discussion of term limits concerning a constitutional amendment bill that lacks power structure reform 'absurd.' Lee Yong-woo, another lawmaker, described it as 'impossible' and 'sensationalist.' Shin Mi-yeon, spokesperson for the Progressive Party, labeled it 'fake news-level public incitement.'
Meanwhile, within the People Power Party, dissenting opinions have emerged regarding the party's stance against the current constitutional amendment. Some lawmakers, including Kim Yong-tae, argue that beyond opposing the amendment, concrete alternative proposals are needed. Kim Yong-tae warned that merely opposing the Democratic Party's unilateral push risks ceding all initiative on constitutional amendment and isolating the party from public sentiment.