South Korea's Speaker Cho Jeong-sik says presidential term limits not up for debate

National Assembly Speaker Cho Jeong-sik said the issue of allowing an incumbent president to seek another term under a revised constitution is "not up for discussion," responding to earlier remarks that had been interpreted as opening the possibility.

Cho clarified that Article 128 of the South Korean Constitution prevents any amendment from applying to the sitting president and expressed regret over the misunderstanding. He reaffirmed his plan to push a constitutional revision, proposing a bipartisan special parliamentary committee to draft proposals next year and complete the amendment before the Assembly's term ends in 2028. The proposed changes include limiting the president's authority to declare martial law, adding a preamble referencing the May 18 pro‑democracy movement, overhauling the election management system, and designating Dec. 3 as a "day of people's sovereignty" to commemorate resistance to a failed martial‑law attempt.

Cho also pledged to seek a peaceful path toward inter‑Korean dialogue, urging North Korea to engage in humanitarian aid talks and family reunions without preconditions.