President Lee Jae Myung Says, "My Term Is Clearly Limited Under the Constitution"—Directly Quelling Reelection Amendment Controversy

【Financial News, Paris, France—Reporter Seong Seok-woo】Amid continuing political controversy over a constitutional amendment allowing presidential reelection, President Lee Jae Myung, who is on a state visit to France, said directly on July 9 (local time), "My term is clearly limited under the Constitution."
Lee made the remark at a luncheon meeting with Korean residents in Paris, explaining why he had concentrated summit diplomacy on the early part of his presidency.
Lee said, "In fact, meetings between leaders and summit diplomacy really create good opportunities in trade, investment and the security environment for the Republic of Korea, which is called an open trading nation," adding, "The countries I plan to visit see a marked increase in their export growth rates."
He continued, "Not to mention cooperation between companies, there are also effects such as greater activity among Korean residents," emphasizing, "In any case, because my term is clearly limited under the Constitution, we need to start quickly to reap those benefits."
He added, "No matter how good a relationship we establish in the latter part of the term, its use will inevitably be limited by then."
Lee’s remarks came as he explained the effects of summit diplomacy, but they became entangled with the recent controversy over a constitutional amendment allowing reelection. The opposition has continued to raise questions about the possibility of Lee’s reelection, and a related dispute also took place during the National Assembly’s interpellation session that day. The People Power Party is demanding that Lee personally state that he has no intention of seeking reelection.
Hong Ik-pyo, senior political affairs secretary at Cheong Wa Dae, also said the previous day, in connection with the reelection amendment controversy, that Lee cannot be reelected under the current Constitution and that Lee himself has never considered it. Hong indicated that Lee could personally state his position on the matter soon.
On the final day of his state visit to France, Lee will hold a meeting with Yaël Braun-Pivet, president of the French National Assembly, attend a luncheon meeting with Korean residents, and meet Mathias Cormann, secretary-general of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), before departing for Korea.
[email protected] Seong Seok-woo Reporter