President Lee Jae-myung on demands to pledge against seeking re-election amid constitutional amendment: “It’s like saying I won’t commit theft”
President Lee Jae-myung has addressed the demand raised by the opposition party to “pledge not to seek re-election” in relation to the push for constitutional amendment. Recently, voices within political circles have suggested that the President must promise not to run in the next presidential election to demonstrate the sincerity of his push for constitutional reform.
In response, President Lee strongly refuted this during a meeting with reporters on the 4th. President Lee remarked, “How is this any different from having to explicitly state that I will not commit theft?” implying that there is no need to make a promise for something that naturally would not be done.
This statement is interpreted as an effort to emphasize that the purpose of pursuing constitutional amendment is not for his own re-election. The Presidential Office maintains the position that constitutional amendment is merely a systemic improvement for the future of the country and is unrelated to the political interests of any specific individual.
However, the opposition party continues its criticism, arguing that such a response from the President is insufficient to resolve public suspicion. The opposition remains firm in its stance that a clear declaration from the President not to seek re-election is essential for the smooth progress of constitutional discussions.
As the conflict between the ruling and opposition parties over constitutional amendment deepens, attention is focused on the future response of the political sphere. The public hopes that these discussions on constitutional amendment will move beyond partisan strife and proceed in a rational direction for the development of the nation.