"Consecutive Terms for Incumbent President Is a Matter of Public Choice," Sparks Backlash from People Power Party

[Anchor]

National Assembly Speaker Cho Jung-sik has sparked political controversy by stating that allowing consecutive terms for an incumbent president is a matter of public choice. The People Power Party has strongly objected, claiming that the true intention to extend the term of the current administration has been revealed, which threatens the constitutional order.

Reporting by Park Jae-yeon.

[Reporter]

National Assembly Speaker Cho Jung-sik, who previously served as a political special advisor to President Lee Jae-myung, made the remark during a press conference yesterday (July 28).

[Cho Jung-sik / National Assembly Speaker: Regarding the reorganization of the power structure, issues such as constitutional amendment for consecutive terms of the incumbent president ultimately boil down to public opinion and the choice of the sovereign people, in my view.]

When asked about his stance on a constitutional amendment to extend the incumbent president's term, he stated that while such discussions are premature at the moment, it remains a "matter of public choice."

[Cho Jung-sik / National Assembly Speaker: If the issue is raised in the context of power structure discussions during constitutional revision talks, it may become an issue again. Won't opinions eventually be gathered through the constitutional advisory committee or the special committee on constitutional amendment?]

Prior to this remark, Speaker Cho stated that the current constitution, which is close to 40 years old since its revision, is due for an overhaul. He announced plans to set up an advisory committee directly under the Speaker and achieve a consensus on constitutional amendment by mid-to-late next year.

Speaker Cho's remark about "public choice" differs in tone from the Democratic Party's clear stance last May, when it drew a line ahead of pushing for a "one-point constitutional amendment," stating that constitutional revision and the issue of consecutive terms for the incumbent president are unrelated.

[Han Byung-do / Democratic Party Floor Leader (April 9): People Power Party Representative Jang Dong-hyuk brought up the issue of consecutive presidential terms, which is unrelated to the content of the constitutional amendment, turning it into political strife. It is a typical false agitation...]

The People Power Party criticized that the hidden agenda to extend the administration and push for consecutive terms, which threatens the constitutional order, has been exposed.

[Jang Dong-hyuk / People Power Party Representative: If they go against the spirit of the constitution and truly push for a constitutional amendment for consecutive terms, that itself will constitute a genuine rebellion.]

Article 128 of the current Constitution stipulates that "an amendment to the Constitution for the extension or change of the term of office of the President shall not be effective for the President in office at the time of the proposal for such amendment to the Constitution."

Furthermore, a constitutional amendment requires the approval of at least two-thirds of the registered members of the National Assembly—meaning 200 or more lawmakers—making a revision difficult without the consent of the People Power Party, which holds 109 seats.

As the controversy grew, Speaker Cho's side explained that "leaving open the possibility of consecutive terms for the incumbent president is completely different from the intent of the remarks," adding that he "merely stated a principled position that constitutional revision for power structure reorganization must proceed based on public consensus and political agreement."

(Photo: Shin Dong-hwan, Video Editing: Park Seon-su, Design: Han Heung-su)