Cho Kuk Pulls Out the Constitutional Amendment Card: "Let's Elect a New President in the Next Local Election"

Cho Kuk "If President Yoon Agrees, It Will Be Recorded in History"
Proposes Strengthening Basic Rights and Introducing Land Public Concept

Jo Guk, leader of the Jo Guk Innovation Party, proposed a constitutional amendment that includes shortening President Yoon Seok-yeol's term to elect a new president in the 2026 local elections. He suggested forming a special committee on constitutional amendments in the 22nd National Assembly, changing the presidential term to a four-year renewable term, strengthening fundamental rights and the public concept of land, and amending the constitution to allow the relocation of the capital.

On the 17th, Jo revealed his constitutional amendment plan, which he called "a bold journey toward our future," at a press conference in the National Assembly. He presented seven issues to be discussed by the special committee on constitutional amendments, including revising the presidential system and shortening President Yoon's term.

Cho Kuk, leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office on the 17th, proposing the establishment of a constitutional amendment special committee in the National Assembly and the constitutional amendment for the 7th Republic. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Jo stated, "Let's change the president's single five-year term to a four-year renewable term," adding, "South Korea has now become a country where peaceful regime change is natural. It is time to trust the people's capabilities and adopt a renewable presidential term." Regarding the revision of the presidential system, he said, "Whether to hold the national referendum for the constitutional amendment before the local elections scheduled for June 3, 2026, or simultaneously with the local elections, can be discussed by the special committee," but added, "The Jo Guk Innovation Party demands that the referendum be held before the next local elections if possible, and that the presidential election be held together with the local elections." Concerning the current president's term, he said, "A supplementary provision can be made to adjust the incumbent president's term," aiming to reduce President Yoon's term by about nine months through the amendment.

After the press conference, Jo told reporters, "If President Yoon agrees to the constitutional amendment, despite failures, corruption, incompetence, and irresponsibility in governance so far, he will be remembered in history as the president who changed the constitution of South Korea," and added, "I hope the president will make a historic decision on his own initiative."

He also proposed including in the constitution the provision that "the capital is determined by law" to allow the relocation of the capital, addressing the Constitutional Court's rejection of the capital relocation based on 'customary constitution.' Additionally, he suggested that the prosecutor's right to request warrants be stipulated by law rather than the constitution, the establishment of a general clause to strengthen social rights, mandatory equal pay for equal work, and strengthening the public concept of land. Regarding the strengthening of fundamental rights, he said, "Instead of the current minimum guarantee, the state should actively guarantee the right to maintain quality of life with human dignity," and added, "Currently, it states that 'the state shall endeavor' to promote each right. This should be declared as 'the people have each right.'"

Furthermore, Jo proposed including the Bu-Ma Democratic Uprising, the May 18 Democratic Movement, and the June 10 Democratic Uprising in the preamble of the constitution.

He said, "So far, the Democratic Party, Jo Guk Innovation Party, and Reform New Party have discussed constitutional amendments," and added, "We need to start serious discussions on constitutional amendments."