Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party (PPP), challenged President Lee Jae-myung by asking, "I will serve only one term as president. Why can't he say this one simple thing?"
Jang wrote on Facebook on Thursday, "When explanations run long, it means there's a hidden agenda. Is he admitting his true intention to seek reelection?"
Jang's remarks came as a follow-up to a luncheon meeting at the presidential office the previous day. At the ruling-opposition government consultative meeting on people's livelihoods and the economy held at Cheongwadae, Jang urged President Lee to "make a preemptive declaration to the public that he will not seek a second or consecutive term before any discussion on constitutional amendment begins."
The PPP officially opposes the constitutional amendment being pursued alongside the June 3 local elections. The party has set a presidential pledge to forgo reelection as a precondition for participating in amendment discussions.
President Lee responded, "It is impossible to revise and vote on the constitutional amendment bill that has already been publicly announced, and isn't it impossible given that the opposition has secured enough seats to block any amendment?" He effectively avoided explicitly stating that he would not seek reelection.
The PPP said "President Lee dodged a direct answer," while Cheongwadae immediately pushed back, saying, "Reports that he dodged a direct answer are entirely untrue." A single remark exchanged during the meeting sparked a war of words between the ruling and opposition sides, each offering competing interpretations.