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South Korea’s Blue House says constitutional amendment for presidential re‑election impossible
Blue House senior political secretary Hong Ik‑pyo told reporters on 29 April that amending the South Korean constitution to allow the incumbent president to run for a second term is impossible under the current charter. He said there has never been any discussion with National Assembly speaker Jo Jung‑sik on the issue and dismissed claims of pre‑arranged talks.
Hong also rejected speculation about a political party re‑organization, stating the administration has not contemplated any such plan. He denied that Justice Minister Jeong Seong‑ho had formally submitted his resignation and noted that the minister, as head of the prosecution office, must oversee its functions until the matter is settled. Allegations of a deal to cancel a prosecution were called baseless, and Hong reiterated that the president has repeatedly affirmed the constitutional prohibition on re‑election.
Entities
Blue House · Hong Ik-pyo · Jo Jung-sik · Justice Minister Jeong Seong-ho · President of South Korea
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Allegations of a deal to cancel a prosecution (공소청) are baseless. biz.heraldcorp.com · www.seoul.co.kr
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Blue House has not discussed any political party re‑organization. biz.heraldcorp.com · www.donga.com · www.seoul.co.kr
- [● 3 SOURCES] Amending the South Korean constitution to allow the incumbent president to run for a second term is impossible under the current charter. biz.heraldcorp.com · www.donga.com · www.seoul.co.kr
- [● 3 SOURCES] There has been no prior communication between the Blue House and National Assembly speaker Jo Jung‑sik about a constitutional amendment for presidential re‑election. biz.heraldcorp.com · www.donga.com · www.seoul.co.kr
- [● 2 SOURCES] The president has repeatedly stated that re‑election is not possible under the current constitution. www.donga.com · www.seoul.co.kr
- [● 3 SOURCES] Justice Minister Jeong Seong‑ho has not officially announced his resignation. biz.heraldcorp.com · www.donga.com · www.seoul.co.kr
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Justice Minister, as head of the prosecution office, must oversee its functions until the issue is resolved. biz.heraldcorp.com · www.seoul.co.kr