The presidential office on the 29th reiterated that President Lee Jae-myung firmly holds the view that "re-election is impossible," responding to National Assembly Speaker Cho Jung-sik's remark that "a constitutional amendment for a sitting president's re-election is a matter of the people's choice."
Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik, meeting with reporters at the presidential office that day, said President Lee had stated that on re-election, "our country's constitutional system does not allow it, the people will not tolerate it, and it is realistically impossible." He said, "President Lee has said this since he was a candidate before the presidential election, and this is a summary of what he continues to say now." He added, "If I may add my personal view, this content in Article 128, Clause 2 of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea must not waver going forward. This was a historical consensus we must uphold."
The constitutional provision stipulates that "an amendment to the Constitution for the extension of the term of office of the president or for a change allowing for re-election shall not be effective for the president in office at the time of the proposal for such amendment."
Kang said, "Even though Speaker Cho has clarified again, and the president has said it is impossible, I express very strong regret at dragging the president into a political dispute." He continued, "At a time when real estate policy, stock prices, and the livelihood economy are important, the presidential office has no time to spend on unnecessary and inappropriate discussions," adding, "We are focused on reviving people's livelihoods and leaping the Republic of Korea forward, and President Lee thinks the same."
On the same day, Senior Presidential Secretary for Political Affairs Hong Ihk-pyo also appeared on MBC Radio and stated, "Under the current Constitution, a constitutional amendment including re-election of a sitting president is realistically impossible." He also pointed out, addressing the opposition, "It is not appropriate to keep pushing one-sided claims out of misunderstanding."
