Opposition Erupts Over 'Lee Second Term Amendment' Remarks: "Laying the Groundwork for Extending Power"

People Power Party: "No Amendment Talks if Second Term Included"

Han Dong-hoon: "A Path Toward Dictatorship"... Lee Jun-seok: "Is This Byun Hak-do's Second Term?"

When Speaker of the National Assembly Jo Jung-sik mentioned that the issue of allowing the incumbent president to seek a second term through constitutional amendment should also be left to the public’s decision, opposition parties reacted strongly. They denounced Speaker Jo's remarks as “laying the groundwork for extending the current administration's power,” refused to engage in discussions on constitutional amendments, and even called for Speaker Jo’s resignation.

Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, wrote on Facebook on July 28 after Speaker Jo’s press conference, “They kept bringing up constitutional amendments, and now their true intentions are revealed,” adding, “Canceling trials, the May 18 constitutional amendment, and even an amendment for the National Election Commission have all been nothing but a build-up to a ‘constitutional amendment for term extension.’”

Jang argued, “In order to keep the president in power, Jo Jung-sik—who was the president’s special advisor—was installed as Speaker of the National Assembly,” and warned, “If there is any attempt to pursue a term extension amendment, the current term may not even be completed.”

Speaker of the National Assembly, Jo Jung-sik, is speaking at a press conference held for the first time after taking office for the second half of the year at the Sarangjae of the National Assembly on July 28, 2026. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group

Jung Jeom-sik, floor leader of the People Power Party, also stated, “A second term for an incumbent president is prohibited under the current Constitution and cannot be the subject of an amendment discussion.” He added, “The People Power Party will not respond in any manner to any constitutional amendment discussion that includes President Lee Jae-myung’s plan for a second term.”

He continued, “If there is any talk of discussing such an amendment, no constitutional amendment discussions of any kind will be possible,” urging, “To prevent unnecessary conflict from escalating, President Lee should publicly declare that he has no intention to seek a second term.”

Senior and reformist lawmakers within the People Power Party also voiced criticism. Representative Na Kyung-won claimed, “Their true colors have finally been revealed,” and argued, “What has been drawn up through the Speaker of the National Assembly and the party leader—appointed by the president—is to erase all of President Lee’s wrongdoings and even allow him a second term through constitutional amendment.”

Representative Na added, “Since the presidential election, they have claimed that the possibility of a second term depends on the will of the people, all while ignoring the relevant constitutional articles, and now they are openly pushing forward. With no concern for citizens’ livelihoods or the national interest and only interested in clinging to power, this constitutional amendment will become a ‘door to hell’ that hastens the downfall of the Lee Jae-myung administration.”

Representative Lee Sung-kwon also criticized, “Speaker Jo’s remarks expose that the purpose of the amendment is to facilitate President Lee’s second term,” and commented, “I am appalled that such an impure intention for constitutional amendment can be stated so openly.”

He added, “It is entirely abnormal for the leader of the legislative branch—who should keep the executive branch in check—to declare the intention to be the president’s bodyguard. Speaker Jo must take responsibility for degrading the authority of the National Assembly and should step down voluntarily.”

Criticism also came from opposition figures outside the People Power Party. Han Dong-hoon, an independent lawmaker, said, “The Lee Jae-myung administration is preparing ‘Plan B’ of a constitutional amendment for Lee’s second term, in case ‘Plan A’—canceling the prosecution against Lee—proves difficult,” and pointed out, “They are dedicating all their efforts to saving Lee Jae-myung, instead of focusing on the lives of the people.”

Han further criticized, “This is tantamount to destroying constitutional order at a level comparable to illegal martial law,” adding, “It is an unacceptable path toward dictatorship.”

Lee Jun-seok, leader of the Reform New Party, joined the criticism on the same day by comparing the situation to what was happening in the stock market. He remarked, “On the very day the stock market fell into panic, some are discussing a second presidential term,” and continued, “Is this a matter of ‘songs of joy in high places and laments from below, as if discussing Byun Hak-do’s second term’?”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.