President Lee Jae-myung acknowledged on November 4 the need for constitutional reform, citing aspects of the current constitution that do not align with modern society. However, he expressed concerns that a reform led by the presidency might not gain sufficient public acceptance, emphasizing that consensus between the ruling and opposition parties in the National Assembly should take precedence.
Chief Presidential Spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung reported in a written briefing that President Lee hosted a luncheon meeting with the leadership and executives of the Constitutional Association at the Blue House.
During the meeting, Jeong Dae-cheol, the president of the Constitutional Association, suggested transitioning from a presidential system with excessive powers to a decentralized presidential system and strengthening local autonomy, proposing that reform should occur within President Lee's term.
In response, President Lee stated, "Considering contemporary circumstances, there are aspects of the current constitution that are like outdated clothing for modern society," agreeing on the necessity for reform.
He added, however, that "a presidential-led reform may have low public acceptance" and that it would be preferable to find areas of agreement between the ruling and opposition parties in the National Assembly. He also described the requirement for two-thirds consent from lawmakers for any constitutional amendment as a "high wall."
Jeong urged the president to take the lead in dialogue and coordination for the sake of cooperative and unified politics, also mentioning the issue of regaining wartime operational control.
President Lee expressed regret over the diminishing role of politics as a forum for rational discussion, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and communication, stating, "Just as we must compromise with adversaries, dialogue is essential." He called for an expanded role for the Constitutional Association, highlighting the need for the wisdom and advice of political elders.
Attendees at the luncheon shared their views on issues such as social polarization, cybersecurity, and South Korea-Japan relations. Notably, there was a proposal for a 'cybersecurity czar' to oversee cybersecurity policy.
President Lee remarked, "Politics should be practical, as it aims to improve the lives of the people," stressing that practicality, moderation, and dialogue are crucial in national policy, and above all, moderation is of utmost importance. He also emphasized that as economic indicators show gradual improvement, these results must be felt by the public as an enhancement of their lives.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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