Opposition Shakes 'Presidential Veto Reduction and Term Shortening'... Ruling Party Holds Off on Decision

Choo Kyung-ho "Will Announce Position After 22nd National Assembly Opens"
Cho Kuk Advocates Establishing Constitutional Amendment Special Committee "Must Implement Multiple Terms System"
Democratic Party Likely to Push for Constitutional Amendment to Enforce Special Prosecutor

The 22nd National Assembly is already clashing over constitutional amendment issues even before its opening. The opposition is pressuring the ruling party daily by proposing amendments that reduce the president's powers, such as limiting the presidential re-examination right (veto power) and shortening the term (from a single 5-year term to a 4-year renewable term). Although the ruling party has avoided giving a direct answer, it is highly likely that discussions on constitutional amendments will intensify once the next National Assembly convenes.

On the 17th, after a party strategy meeting held at the National Assembly, Choo Kyung-ho, floor leader of the People Power Party, told reporters, "Regarding the constitutional amendment issue and matters related to national governance, we will clarify our position after hearing from party members following the opening of the 22nd National Assembly," adding, "It is not appropriate to make a one-off judgment at this point." This was in response to Cho Guk, leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, holding a press conference at the National Assembly the same day and advocating for the establishment of a 'Special Committee on Constitutional Amendments,' from which Choo drew a clear line.

Floor Leader Choo Kyung-ho, Secretary General Sung Il-jong, and other floor leadership members are attending the floor countermeasure meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 17th. From the front: Floor Leader Choo, Policy Committee Chairman Jung Jeom-sik, Secretary General Sung Il-jong, Senior Deputy Floor Leader Bae Jun-young, Senior Floor Spokesperson Jang Dong-hyuk. 2024.5.17
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Earlier, when the Democratic Party of Korea proposed making the limitation of veto power a topic for constitutional amendment discussions, Floor Leader Choo strongly rebutted, saying, "The veto power is at the core of the principle of separation of powers," and "The People Power Party absolutely cannot accept a (one-point) constitutional amendment."

However, the opposition continues to demand constitutional amendments by independently establishing special committees. On the same day, Leader Cho held a press conference at the National Assembly advocating for the establishment of a 'Special Committee on Constitutional Amendments' to include the spirit of the May 18 Democratic Uprising in the preamble of the Constitution. The proposed amendments to be included in the constitutional amendment are the inclusion of the spirit of the Bu-Ma Democratic Uprising, the May 18 Democratic Movement, and the June 10 Democratic Uprising in the Constitution's preamble. Additionally, he suggested adding a clause stating "The capital shall be determined by law" to promote discussions on relocating the capital. Regarding the current single 5-year presidential term system, he argued it should be changed to a 4-year renewable term system, allowing only one consecutive re-election.

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 7th Republic constitutional amendment. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

Earlier, the Democratic Party of Korea also announced plans to push for constitutional amendments by forming a 'Special Committee on Constitutional Amendments.' In particular, the core content is expected to focus on a 'one-point' constitutional amendment discussion aimed at limiting the president's veto power to enforce a special investigation into Chae Sang-byeong and Kim Geon-hee, and shortening the presidential term by changing it to a 4-year renewable term system.

Within the ruling party, there are counterarguments that if the opposition uses the demand for constitutional amendments merely as a card to pressure the government, it could backfire. On the same day, Hwang Woo-yeo, emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, warned on the radio, "The presidential system constitution grants veto power to the president when there is legislative overreach or excessive enforcement of laws," adding, "When the National Assembly and government communicate regularly and legislate through bipartisan cooperation, the veto power is not exercised."