President Lee Jae-myung stated on October 15 that he believes discussions surrounding constitutional reform aimed at extending his term or restructuring the political landscape should be set aside.
In a response to criticism on X (formerly Twitter) regarding his governance and reform direction, President Lee emphasized, "I have become a president who must represent everyone and take ultimate responsibility for all matters, moving beyond merely representing a portion of the public and supporters."
He added, "While the processes, methods, and means to reach our goals have become more practical and cautious, the goals themselves have not changed. My commitment to a world where we live together cannot change and should not change."
Regarding constitutional reform, he noted, "Any amendment requires the agreement of over 200 members of the National Assembly, including those from the People Power Party, so I cannot act solely according to my wishes. They are unlikely to propose amendments that would benefit me."
President Lee dismissed claims that he is pursuing constitutional changes with the intent of extending his term or altering the power structure, stating, "I do not favor a parliamentary system or a dual executive system, which are concerns for some."
He also addressed criticisms about the pace of reforms, asserting, "We are implementing reforms more swiftly than promised, and although it has been just over a year, we have achieved significant results. In fact, some have pointed out a reform overload or fatigue due to the number of reforms being executed simultaneously."
He encouraged critics to specify any perceived shortcomings in the reforms, stating, "If there are reforms you believe are lacking, please point them out, and I will implement them as quickly as possible within our capabilities."
On the topic of prosecutorial reform, he emphasized the need for practical reforms that maintain investigative and prosecutorial functions while preventing the potential for abuse of power.
President Lee remarked, "I have been the biggest victim of the previous administration and some unscrupulous political prosecutors, yet I recognize that investigation and prosecution are essential functions for maintaining social order, and a competent investigative and prosecutorial organization is necessary."
He acknowledged that while some prosecutors may be corrupt, not all are, and there are those who serve the public and the nation selflessly. He cautioned against dismantling or undermining essential state institutions and systems simply because they have issues or have caused harm.
Furthermore, he stated, "Practical and effective reform involves ensuring that functions operate well while minimizing side effects and the potential for misuse. We have removed 100% of investigative authority from prosecutors and separated investigative and prosecutorial functions to place them under different departments for mutual checks and balances."
President Lee concluded, "Now, the important task is to ensure this system functions properly. If we can exercise a bit more patience and unite our efforts, we can move closer to the 'world where we live together' that everyone desires."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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