South Korean opposition demands President Lee declare non-re-election

South Korean opposition leaders are calling on President Lee Jae-myung to explicitly declare that he will not seek re-election to resolve growing controversies surrounding potential constitutional amendments. Representative Kim Tae-ho of the People Power Party urged the President to clarify his stance, noting that prolonged silence regarding term extensions could fuel public suspicion and reduce the constitutional reform debate to mere political maneuvering for individual benefit.

The People Power Party argues that any meaningful discussion on changing the presidential system—such as moving to a four-year dual-term system—cannot begin until the President provides a formal guarantee of non-re-election. They expressed concerns that the amendment might be used as a strategic move to mitigate the President's legal risks.

Conversely, the Democratic Party maintains that constitutional amendments cannot legally allow for the current President's re-election under existing frameworks. They have criticized the opposition's demands as politically motivated. Public opinion remains divided, with recent polls showing less than half of the population in favor of constitutional reform.