PPP Rep. Kim Tae-ho: If President Lee Pledges Not to Seek Re-election, Opposition Must Join Constitutional Reform Talks

▲ People Power Party Representative Kim Tae-ho

People Power Party Representative Kim Tae-ho has argued that if President Lee Jae-myung clearly states he will not seek consecutive terms, the opposition party should also actively participate in discussions on constitutional amendment.

Representative Kim posted on Facebook today, stating, "If President Lee first demonstrates his will not to seek re-election, I believe the ruling and opposition parties can begin discussions on constitutional reform with sincerity."

Kim previously revealed that during a golf meeting with President Lee early last month, the President mentioned regarding his proposal for a decentralized constitutional amendment, "I think we need to revise the constitution even if it means shortening my term."

Subsequently, President Lee posted on X on the 14th, stating, "Changing the presidential term to a four-year second-term or consecutive-term system to enable responsible politics through mid-term evaluation, and accepting a shorter presidential term if necessary for constitutional reform, was my official stance during the 2022 presidential election, and that thought remains unchanged today."

Kim said, "A single round of golf with the president cannot change politics. However, it can serve as an opportunity to open the door to dialogue." He added, "Politics must cooperate on what requires cooperation and firmly check what requires checks. If it is a path that can move South Korean politics forward even a little bit, and if it is politics for the people, I will talk to anyone."

He went on to emphasize the need for a "decentralized constitutional amendment" that divides power and clarifies responsibility, stating, "It is now time to move past the 1987 system, where power is concentrated in a single person. Both ruling and opposition parties have fought to the death throughout the five-year terms to produce their own imperial presidents, and politics for the people and their livelihoods has disappeared in the process."

He also stated, "For the incumbent president to push for constitutional reform, clearly declaring that 'I will not gain any personal term-related benefits from this constitutional reform' can be a starting point to enhance the sincerity of the revision."

However, within the People Power Party, criticism erupted over President Lee's mention of a constitutional amendment for a "four-year consecutive or second term," with detractors calling it "an intention to cover up judicial risks" and urging him to first declare "not running in the presidential election" before discussing constitutional reform.

Three-term Representative Lee Yang-su wrote on Facebook, "No matter what wrapping paper they put on it, such as 'power sharing,' the essence is nothing more than a 'custom-made unconstitutional revision show' aimed at covering up the president's judicial risks and extending power." He added, "If President Lee has even an ounce of sincerity, he should first declare to the public that he will 'not run in the presidential election' and 'attend court trials with dignity.'"

First-term Representative Kim Yong-tae also joined in, stating, "Pushing for constitutional reform without resolving the president's trial issues is insincere false propaganda."

Five-term Representative Yoon Sang-hyun argued, "Constitutional reform should be pursued based on national consensus and the country's future, not the political needs of the administration. The president must clearly state from the outset that even if the constitution is revised to a four-year consecutive term system, it will not apply to President Lee himself, thereby cutting off unnecessary controversy."

Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min also stated, "For the president's sincerity regarding constitutional reform to resonate with the public, there are promises that must be made clear first. If the president and the Democratic Party promise that 'there will never be a consecutive term, there will never be a cancellation of indictment, and that he will fulfill his presidential duties during his term and stand trial according to the state laws after his term,' the opposition party will also actively participate in constitutional reform discussions."

(Photo: Yonhap News)

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