"My Term Is Clearly Limited by the Constitution"... Returning Home Today

[Anchor]

President Lee Jae-myung will return to South Korea this afternoon (September 10) after wrapping up his state visit to France. Addressing controversies surrounding a constitutional amendment for consecutive terms, President Lee indirectly stated that his term is clearly limited by the Constitution.

Reporter Kang Cheongwan has the details.

[Reporter]

On the final day of his state visit to France, President Lee Jae-myung met with Korean residents living locally in France.

Explaining the reason behind his busy overseas tour schedule early in his term, President Lee remarked:

[President Lee Jae-myung: Anyway, my term is clearly limited by the Constitution.]

While the explanation was intended to convey that diplomatic activities need to begin as quickly as possible to yield results given the limited term, some interpreted the remarks as a rebuttal to recent claims by the conservative opposition camp regarding the possibility of pushing for a constitutional amendment allowing consecutive presidential terms.

Criticism erupted from the opposition party.

Chung Jeom-sik, floor leader of the People Power Party, pointed out, "It is a well-known fact that even a child knows that the president's term is clearly limited under the current Constitution," adding, "We are asking him to promise not to change that, but he keeps giving evasive answers."

President Lee wraps up his five-day, three-night state visit to France and returns home this afternoon.

Upon his return, he is expected to face a mountain of pending issues.

Amid mounting daily controversies surrounding Justice Minister Kim Seung-won and Minister of Gender Equality and Family nominee Yong Hye-in, whom he nominated on August 30 prior to his tour to France, the opposition camp continues to press for the withdrawal of both nominations.

The issue of troop deployment to the Strait of Hormuz and investment issues involving the United States, both under pressure from Washington, are also pending matters that will soon require President Lee's decision.

(Camera: Yoon Hyeong, Video Editing: Oh Young-taek)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.