Nat'l Assembly speaker vows push for constitutional revision, rules out Lee seeking 2nd term

National Assembly Speaker Cho Jeong-sik has vowed to push for a constitutional revision, dismissing claims that the change would enable President Lee Jae Myung to run for a second term. The opposition has raised concerns over Cho's earlier statement that an incumbent president's eligibility to seek a second term would be decided by the people.

According to Article 128 of the Constitution, the extension of a president's term is not a topic for constitutional revision. Cho emphasized that this issue should not be used for political conflict and proposed the establishment of an advisory committee under his office to set the direction and key priorities for the revision. Cho also expressed plans to visit major countries, including the United States and China, next year, to further advance South Korea's national interest.

The Constitution currently limits presidents to a single five-year term, with an amendment to extend the term not taking effect for the president in office at the time the amendment is proposed.