Lee Jun-seok "Yoon Should Consider Constitutional Amendment for Term Reduction"

"Regime Resignation Movement? 22nd National Assembly May Face Prolonged Inactivity"

Amid demands from the opposition for constitutional amendments including the 'shortening of the presidential term,' Lee Jun-seok, a lawmaker from the Reform New Party, argued that "to lead the situation, the president should also consider a constitutional amendment to shorten the term."

On the 30th, on SBS Radio's 'Kim Taehyun's Political Show,' Lee said, "The constitution can be used as a card to make the public pay attention again to the president and the ruling party's actions," adding, "During the Fifth Republic, it was difficult to extend the regime, but then-President Roh Tae-woo, who was considered a successor at the time, succeeded in taking power by creating an image of political change through the June 29 Declaration."

Lee Jun-seok, Member of the Reform New Party. [Image source=Yonhap News]

He continued, "The reason constitutional amendments have always failed is due to the greed among factions," and explained, "When the regime's power weakens and a call for constitutional amendment arises, opposition leaders think, 'Why should I share power through constitutional amendment when I could soon be the president with strong powers?'" He added, "If the ruling party puts forward agendas such as constitutional amendments and power decentralization, which the opposition has advocated until now, and opposition leaders like Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party overlook this, the public will question 'Where is the sincerity?'"

Regarding Democratic Party lawmaker Park Hong-geun's statement the day before that "the opposition should join the movement to oust the Yoon Seok-youl administration together with the people," Lee expressed caution, saying, "The word 'impeachment' should be used very carefully," and "If the 22nd National Assembly, which has just begun, heads toward extreme confrontation, the operation of the National Assembly will effectively come to a halt."

Lee expressed concern, saying, "If a movement to oust the administration starts, there will be no way out, and it will have to continue until collapse," adding, "If this happens, the legislature will be unable to perform its role, and South Korean politics will revolve around power struggles." He also added, "I hope that through the People Power Party's national convention, a new leadership will emerge, the National Assembly vice speaker will be elected, and more conciliatory and cooperative figures will appear."