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🇰🇷 South Korea /Elections & Politics

Democratic Party clarifies speaker's remarks on presidential term limits

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • A senior member of South Korea's Democratic Party clarified remarks by the parliamentary speaker regarding presidential term limits, stating the speaker's comments were about respecting constitutional provisions.
  • The party official criticized the ruling party's response, calling their focus on presidential term extension a baseless assertion.
  • The clarification came amid controversy over the speaker's remarks, which were interpreted by some as suggesting a move towards presidential term extension.

A senior official from South Korea's Democratic Party has sought to clarify controversial remarks made by the parliamentary speaker concerning presidential term limits. Han Byung-do, the acting leader and floor leader of the Democratic Party, stated that Speaker Cho Jung-sik's comments were intended to emphasize the importance of respecting Article 128, Paragraph 2 of the Constitution.

The Constitution's Article 128, Paragraph 2 clearly stipulates that even if an amendment is made to extend the presidential term, it will not apply to the president at the time of the amendment. Speaker Cho Jung-sik clearly stated that this should be respected.

— Han Byung-doHan Byung-do, acting leader of the Democratic Party, explained the parliamentary speaker's remarks on presidential term limits.

This constitutional clause stipulates that any amendment to extend the presidential term would not apply to the president in office at the time of the amendment. Han explained that Cho's remarks were made in the context of needing consensus among political actors and the public for any constitutional changes to occur.

Han added that Cho was surprised by the rapid expansion of the discussion around presidential term extension, which he felt was an unfortunate link to his general statement about needing public input. The party official further criticized the response from the People Power Party, the ruling party, calling their focus on presidential term extension a baseless assertion and demanding it cease immediately.

The speaker's intention was that a constitutional amendment requires consensus among political actors and the public.

— Han Byung-doHan Byung-do clarified the parliamentary speaker's stance on constitutional changes.

The controversy arose after the parliamentary speaker's remarks were interpreted by some as a potential move towards allowing presidents to serve extended terms, a topic sensitive in South Korean politics where presidents are limited to a single five-year term.

The People Power Party's response is outrageous. They are treating presidential term extension as a foregone conclusion and launching a political offensive. It is nothing but a baseless assertion. Please stop immediately.

— Han Byung-doHan Byung-do criticized the ruling party's reaction to the speaker's comments.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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