Lee Jae-myung Holds First Press Conference in 138 Days Since Inauguration: "Let's Amend the Constitution for a 4-Year Two-Term Presidency"

[Asia Economy Reporters Oh Ju-yeon and Park Jun-i] Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, held his first official press conference 138 days after taking office as party leader and proposed a constitutional amendment to change the current single five-year presidential term to a four-year two-term system. Following National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo, the leader of the main opposition party has also ignited the debate on constitutional revision, drawing attention to whether discussions will intensify.

At the press conference held at the National Assembly on the 12th, Lee proposed political reforms including moving away from the imperial presidency, introducing a presidential runoff election system, and reforming the parliamentary election system to eliminate regionalism. Lee said, "There are no elections this year. It is an opportune time to discuss constitutional revision," and suggested the formation of a special committee on constitutional revision in the National Assembly and holding a national referendum during the 2024 general election.

However, although Lee’s remarks on that day contained many key terms as if releasing pent-up statements, the word that connected them all was "normalization of the abnormal." In his first press conference remarks, which emphasized three major areas?economic recovery for the people, halting the Yoon Seok-yeol administration’s failures and suppression of the opposition, and restoring politics for the people?Lee criticized the Yoon administration’s failures and incompetence across economic, diplomatic, and political fields, while meticulously pointing out what must be corrected, focusing on displaying his characteristic confidence.

In particular, he defined the current government’s politics as "politics of division and anger" and emphasized his commitment to "political restoration," signaling a tough response in the "judicial political situation" that will intensify this year. Lee pointed out the unstable livelihood economy first, saying, "With the difficult economic situation compounded by a security disaster, the 'Korea discount' is becoming widespread." He proposed three major solutions to address this: ▲ a 30 trillion won scale 'emergency livelihood plan,' ▲ a cabinet reshuffle including the economic line, and ▲ the formation of a national emergency economic council.

Lee said, "At a time when the waves of crisis are rising, the state must strongly protect the socially vulnerable and ordinary people and strive for fair sharing of pain," but criticized, "However, government measures are going in the opposite direction." He added, "The government is only focused on privileged tax cuts for large corporations and the ultra-rich and encouraging 'real estate shopping' by multi-homeowners," calling it "a wrong prescription that eats away the future and a self-defeating move. The government must immediately change its national policy direction entirely."

He also pressured the Yoon administration by citing the recent North Korean drone incident as a representative failure in security. Lee said, "The president’s reckless 'verbal bombs' to cover up security incompetence have only amplified public anxiety and market confusion," and pointed out, "There is a very strong public concern that something might happen."

He criticized the government’s "one-way governance" and urged, "Please cooperate in restoring the lost politics." Lee warned, "If the so-called three major reforms promoted by the government are pushed through by force, like the prosecution’s warrant execution, it will only provoke strong resistance," and said, "The president must return to the initial resolve he pledged." He also reiterated his call for a meeting, saying, "I have already proposed talks with the president several times. The offer still stands."

At the press conference held two days after appearing before the prosecution on the 10th over allegations of donations to Seongnam FC, Lee criticized the Yoon administration’s "political prosecution" and made tough remarks that seemed to assert his presence in the upcoming judicial political situation.

Lee demanded, "The unilateral and violent governance must be normalized," and "Stop the opposition suppression efforts as well." He harshly criticized, "The government has been obsessed with destroying the opposition and eliminating political rivals by mobilizing power institutions while claiming 'cooperation' in words," and added, "It has been criticized as the only government that has not held talks with the opposition leader for over eight months since taking office."