The President's proposal for a constitutional amendment to change the power structure has been met with resistance from the People Power Party, making its realization uncertain. The President emphasized the need for a constitutional amendment during his New Year's press conference on the 4th, suggesting a switch to a parliamentary system and the abolition of the presidential and vice-presidential elections. He also suggested that the four-year concurrent terms of the National Assembly and local governments should be maintained, and that the president should be elected by the National Assembly rather than through a direct election. However, the main opposition party, the People Power Party, immediately expressed its opposition to the President's proposal, making it unclear whether the constitutional amendment will be realized. The People Power Party's spokesperson, Park Jung-ha, issued a statement on the 5th, stating that "the President's remarks on changing the current presidential system to a parliamentary system through a constitutional amendment are nothing but a political trick to evade responsibility and confusion." Park added that "it is not a realistic or appropriate time for a constitutional amendment that could overturn the existing system." The Democratic Party of Korea, on the other hand, has taken a more cautious approach, with some lawmakers expressing support for the President's proposal. However, others have expressed concerns about the potential risks and challenges of changing the power structure. The constitutional amendment requires approval from two-thirds of the National Assembly or a national referendum, making it a difficult process. The President's proposal has sparked a heated debate, with various opinions and perspectives being expressed. The realization of the President's proposal for a constitutional amendment remains uncertain due to opposition from the People Power Party and other challenges.
President Lee mentioned a proposal to reform the power structure, potentially reducing the presidential term to four years or allowing for re-election. While some political parties, like National Power, view this as a strategic tactic to cover judicial risks, the feasibility remains uncertain. The president reiterated his 2022 stance that shortening the term is required for reform, stating he would accept it if necessary.
He also emphasized that a divided government structure or a cabinet-led system is neither desirable nor feasible according to public opinion. The Reform Party believes that a stronger presidential term would be most popular with the public. However, the president's comments have created ambiguity about his willingness to accept term reductions or changes.
National Power accuses the president of a "judicial risk cover-up" and even calls for a presidential pledge of giving up re-election and term changes. The current parliamentary environment is less inclined towards reform, with only 9 of the Reform Party's 109 seats supporting it. Experts suggest that forming a consensus and gaining support from opposition parties is essential for any progress.
Written by urgent.news from Hankyoreh's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
