Opposition and Civil Society Join Hands to "Shorten Yoon's Term by 2 Years"

Establishing a Constitutional Addendum to Set President Yoon's Term at 3 Years
Kim Yong-min: "Alliance of Lawmakers Proposed by Senior Civil Society Members"

Twenty-five opposition lawmakers from the Democratic Party of Korea and the Joguk Innovation Party, among others, announced in collaboration with civil society that they will "shorten President Yoon Seok-yeol's term to three years."

The "Presidential Dismissal Referendum Constitutional Amendment Coalition" (abbreviated as the Constitutional Amendment Coalition) was launched at the National Assembly on the afternoon of the 8th. At the launch press conference held at the National Assembly that day, the coalition lawmakers said, "In the national address on the previous day (the 7th), President Yoon showed arrogance by admitting to interfering in candidate nominations instead of offering a sincere apology and reflection," adding, "The public's growing sentiment for the president's removal has deepened even further." The coalition includes 19 lawmakers from the Democratic Party, 5 from the Joguk Innovation Party, and 1 from the Social Democratic Party.

Some opposition lawmakers from the Democratic Party of Korea, the Party for Justice and Innovation, the Social Democratic Party, and senior figures from civil society held a press conference on the 8th afternoon at the National Assembly Communication Office in Yeouido, Seoul, to launch the "Constitutional Amendment Coalition for a National Referendum on the Dismissal of the President," which aims to amend the constitution to shorten President Yoon Seok-yeol's term. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Kim Yong-min, the Democratic Party's Deputy Floor Leader for Policy, explained the purpose of forming the Constitutional Amendment Coalition as "effectively dismissing the president through a national referendum," and said, "We thought that shortening the president's term by two years was the most rational and fastest method." He added, "Senior figures from civil society present here proposed the term reduction amendment, and accordingly, the coalition was formed in the National Assembly."

The coalition stated that they intend to include a clause in the constitutional addendum limiting President Yoon Seok-yeol's term to three years. Constitutional amendments must be made through a national referendum. More than half of the electorate must vote, and a majority of those voting must approve. The coalition lawmakers view this as a "100% achievable goal." Hwang Un-ha, floor leader of the Joguk Innovation Party, claimed, "Looking at public opinion polls, support for impeachment is confirmed at around 65%."

After the press conference, when asked by reporters if there were any legal issues, Floor Leader Hwang replied, "There are absolutely no legal issues." He stated, "The people are sovereign and hold the power to enact and amend the constitution. The president's term is stipulated in the constitution, and the power to amend it also lies with the people."

The coalition lawmakers include Democratic Party members Park Hong-geun, Kim Jeong-ho, Kim Gyo-heung, Park Ju-min, Lee Jae-jung, Min Hyung-bae, Moon Jin-seok, Kang Jun-hyun, Moon Jeong-bok, Kim Won-i, Kim Seung-won, Lee Su-jin, Lee Won-taek, Kim Yong-min, Jang Kyung-tae, Jo Gye-won, Moon Geum-ju, Baek Seung-a, Kim Yong-man, Mo Kyung-jong; Joguk Innovation Party members Hwang Un-ha, Kim Seon-min, Kang Kyung-sook, Jeong Chun-saeng, Lee Hae-min; and Social Democratic Party member Han Chang-min (titles omitted).