President Lee: "We Can Move Beyond Claims of a Constitutional Amendment for Another Term and Conspiracy Theories About Political Realignment"

"Your goals have changed," a supporter says
Lee: "I have become more cautious, but my goals have not changed"
On government reforms: "We are moving ahead swiftly"

President Lee Jae-myung said on Oct. 15, "It is now time to move beyond claims from some quarters that I am pursuing a constitutional amendment to secure another term, or conspiracy theories that an amendment is intended to reorganize the political landscape."

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, that day, President Lee said, "A constitutional amendment requires the approval of at least 200 members of the National Assembly, including members of the People Power Party. I cannot amend the Constitution as I please, and they would not agree to an amendment that favors me. A parliamentary cabinet system or a dual executive system, which some people are concerned about, is not the direction of constitutional reform that I favor." He also shared a post by one of his supporters alongside his own, which read, "Your (President Lee's) goals have changed. I am concerned about constitutional reform and the possibility that reform will be rendered powerless. I supported you, but now I feel empty."

President Lee Jaemyung speaks at a meeting with senior secretaries and aides at the Blue House on October 15, 2026. Yonhap News Agency

In response, President Lee said, "I am truly sorry to hear that you feel that way." He added, "However, I have become president, and must represent everyone rather than only the people and some of my supporters, and take final responsibility for everything. The process and methods for reaching my goals have become more practical and cautious, but my goals have not changed."

On the government's reform policies, President Lee said, "We are moving ahead more quickly than we promised and, although it has been only a little over a year, have achieved a great deal." He explained, "If anything, we have pursued too many reform tasks all at once, and some have pointed to reform overload or reform fatigue." He added, "If there are specific reforms you believe have fallen short, please identify them, and I will implement them promptly to the extent our capacity allows." He continued, "At this point, it may be difficult for you to accept anything I say, but your view may change as time passes and concrete results emerge."

President Lee also said, "I was the greatest victim of the previous administration and some unscrupulous political prosecutors." He added, "Investigation and prosecution are essential functions for maintaining social order, and capable investigation and prosecution agencies are necessary." He said, "Some prosecutors are corrupt, but not all prosecutors are, and some dedicate themselves to serving the people and the country." He emphasized, "Essential state agencies and institutions should not be dismantled or rendered powerless just because they have problems or have caused harm. Practical, substantive reform means ensuring that they function properly while minimizing adverse effects and the possibility of abuse."

President Lee said, "We have taken away 100% of prosecutors' investigative authority and separated the investigation and prosecution functions, placing them under separate ministries so they can check one another. The important task now is to ensure that this system functions properly." He added, "If you can be a little more patient and join forces, we can move closer to the 'world where we live together' that we all hope for."

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