The National Assembly Speaker's Office clarified on July 28 that Speaker Cho Jung-sik's comments regarding the potential for a constitutional amendment to allow the current president to serve additional terms were not intended to suggest that such a possibility is open. The office emphasized that Cho is fully aware of the constitutional provisions related to amendments.
Jang Hyun-joo, the chief spokesperson for the Speaker's Office, spoke with reporters in the National Assembly, stating, "During today's press briefing, the Speaker expressed a fundamental position that any restructuring of power must be based on public consensus and political agreement."
Jang asserted that Cho is cognizant of the constitutional clause that stipulates any proposed amendment would not apply to the president who suggests it, arguing that reports implying the Speaker has opened the door to the president's term extension misinterpret his comments.
Furthermore, Jang highlighted that Cho believes a roadmap for constitutional amendments should involve public and political consensus, and that a special committee should be established to gather opinions on the matter.
Earlier that day, during a press briefing, Cho addressed the issue of President Lee Jae-myung's potential term extension, stating, "The question of amending the constitution to allow the current president to serve additional terms ultimately depends on the will and opinion of the sovereign people, as well as how various political stakeholders reach an agreement."
In response to interpretations from some media outlets, including those from the opposition, suggesting that Cho had left the door open for Lee's term extension, the Speaker's Office quickly moved to clarify his remarks.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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