Kim Min-seok: "President Has Clearly Cleared Obstacles to Constitutional Revision Raised by Opposition"

Democratic Party of Korea leader Kim Min-seok stated today (September 20), "The president has expressed his commitment to constitutional revision multiple times and has clearly cleared the obstacles raised by the opposition party."

Attending a press conference launching the party's task force for constitutional revision at the National Assembly today, Kim said, "In fact, there was no obstacle in the first place."

President Lee Jae-myung held a press conference at Cheong Wa Dae two days ago (September 18) and said, "Serving consecutive terms through constitutional amendment is constitutionally impossible for me. I have absolutely no intention of serving a consecutive term."

The People Power Party had previously demanded that President Lee clearly state his position that he will not pursue a constitutional revision allowing consecutive or multiple terms.

Kim said, "Constantly demanding a declaration of renouncing consecutive terms when there was no intention to serve one was bizarre, as if demanding an admission of having had other thoughts," adding, "Now is the time to shift toward serious discussions on constitutional revision rather than nitpicking."

He continued, "The spirit ranging from the May 18 (Gwangju Democratization Movement) to the Bu-Ma (Democratic Protests) must be clearly stated in the preamble to the Constitution," urging, "Is there any reason for the People Power Party, which claims to be the successor to President Kim Young-sam who made May 18 the historical identity of his civilian government, to oppose this? They should embrace May 18 and clean up anti-May 18 stances."

He said, "With the president's press conference as an opportunity, the Democratic Party will go all-in and all-in solely on people's livelihoods," adding, "The essence of constitutional revision must also be a constitutional revision for livelihoods and national unity."

He also emphasized, "We must carry out power structure reform and political system improvements agreed upon by the public," adding, "We must reflect a dignified society that guarantees a dignified life for all citizens—namely, a dignified basic society and social fundamental rights."

Kim stated, "The Democratic Party will walk the path of success in livelihoods, state administration, constitutional revision, national unity, and consecutive terms in power," adding, "We will inherit the history of Kim Dae-jung, who achieved success in state administration and consecutive terms in power, and reflect on the history of Roh Moo-hyun, who was sacrificed by the blade of a political prosecution while attempting national unity."

Kim added, "Now is the time for the country, the people, democratic forces, and the party to unite more firmly around President Lee," saying, "Please help the president and the government. The party will also do its utmost."

Representative Kim Tae-nyeon, head of the constitutional revision promotion task force, said, "Keeping maximum distance from the political advantages and disadvantages of various political parties is a good approach to constitutional revision," adding, "We are considering constitutional revision about one year before the general election to keep maximum distance from the general election the year after next." Rep. Kim added, "We believe that putting an agreed constitutional amendment bill to a national referendum in the first half of next year at the latest will yield a higher feasibility."

He continued to emphasize, "Before Representative Kim Min-seok's parliamentary group address, I met with members of the People Power Party leadership and other lawmakers, and I heard that discussions on constitutional revision should proceed once the issue of consecutive terms was resolved," adding, "Since the president has made it crystal clear that he has no intention of serving a consecutive term, I believe the leadership of the People Power Party will not go back on their word."

Representative Jung Tae-ho, secretary of the constitutional revision promotion task force, said, "I hope a special parliamentary committee on constitutional revision will be swiftly formed for discussions," adding, "The president has opened the door, and it is time for the political circle to respond."

Rep. Jung explained, "We plan to manage the schedule so that the party's own (constitutional revision) proposal is prepared within this year, and an agreed (constitutional revision) bill can emerge by March to April next year."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.