Jang Dong-hyuk asks, “Can’t Lee even say he will serve only one term as president?”

[Financial News] On the 8th, People Power Party (PPP) leader Jang Dong-hyuk challenged President Lee Jae Myung of South Korea, asking, “Why can’t he even say this simple phrase, ‘I will serve only one term as president’?” This followed his suggestion at the presidential luncheon with ruling and opposition party leaders and floor leaders that Lee declare he would not seek re-election or a second term in connection with constitutional amendment talks.
Jang wrote on a social media platform that “when explanations get long, it means there is something in one’s heart,” and pointedly asked, “Is he admitting his true intention to seek another term?”
Jang and floor leader Song Eon-seok had asked Lee at the Cheong Wa Dae meeting the previous day to state preemptively that discussions on constitutional revision would not include his own re-election or a second term. In response, Lee was reported to have replied, “Isn’t that impossible when the opposition parties hold enough seats to block a constitutional amendment?” The PPP took this as an attempt to “avoid giving a straight answer.”
At present, all parties except the PPP are pushing to hold a national referendum on constitutional revision alongside the June local elections. They have put forward a single-issue amendment bill that includes only non-contentious items, such as revising the preamble of the Constitution and strengthening parliamentary oversight of martial law.
For the amendment bill to pass the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, at least nine lawmakers from the PPP would have to break ranks. However, the PPP argues that constitutional discussions should take place after the local elections and should also cover core issues such as changes to the power structure. The question of Lee’s possible re-election arose in that broader context.

uknow@fnnews.com Kim Yun-ho Reporter