[Anchor]

Following a massive political storm sparked by National Assembly Speaker Cho Jung-sik's remarks that a constitutional amendment allowing a consecutive presidential term is a matter for the public to choose, Cheong Wa Dae stepped in today (July 29) to contain the fallout. The presidential office drew a clear line, stating that the public would not tolerate it and that it is realistically impossible. Criticism poured in not only from the opposition camp but also from within the ruling party, calling the remarks inappropriate.

Here is a report by reporter Kim Kwan-jin.

[Reporter]

National Assembly Speaker Cho Jung-sik made these remarks yesterday regarding a constitutional amendment for a consecutive term for the incumbent president.

[Cho Jung-sik / National Assembly Speaker (Yesterday): I think that issues such as a constitutional amendment for a consecutive term of the incumbent president are ultimately a matter of public opinion and the choice of the people, who are the sovereigns.]

Because the current Constitution explicitly states that any constitutional amendment to extend a president's term or change provisions regarding consecutive terms shall not apply to the president in office at the time of the proposal, the remarks sent a massive shockwave through the political arena.

Overnight, Speaker Cho posted a message on social media clarifying that the consecutive term of the incumbent president is not a subject for constitutional amendment discussions.

Cheong Wa Dae also scrambled to contain the situation.

Cheong Wa Dae Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik conveyed regarding the issue of a consecutive-term amendment, "President Lee Jae-myung still maintains that 'our constitutional system does not allow it, the public will not tolerate it, and it is realistically impossible.'"

[Sung Ki-hong / Senior Secretary to the President for Public Relations and Communication: It is unrealistic. Also, would the public accept it? We do not think so.]

Democratic Party leadership candidates also weighed in, stating that "a consecutive-term amendment is unrealistic," "Speaker Cho should apologize if necessary," and "the remarks themselves were inappropriate." At the same time, they are reportedly paying close attention to how this controversy will impact party members' voting sentiments.

The main opposition People Power Party stepped up its offensive, arguing that this was not a simple slip of the tongue, but rather the true intention of the pro-Lee Jae-myung faction regarding a "re-election project."

[Jang Dong-hyeok / Leader of the People Power Party: This is because there is no other way to escape the crimes they have committed than for President Lee Jae-myung to serve consecutive terms.]

As the remarks by the National Assembly Speaker—who served as the president's special political advisor until three months ago—contradict the spirit of the Constitution and have triggered political turmoil, concerns are growing that discussions on reorganizing the power structure to overcome the limits of the 1987 constitutional system could also lose momentum.

(Photo courtesy of Oh Young-chun, Kim Yong-wook | Video edited by Park Sun-soo | Design by Kang Yoon-jung)