South Korea speaker backs public choice on presidential terms
· UPIJuly 28 (Asia Today) -- South Korean National Assembly Speaker Cho Jeong-sik said Tuesday that whether a sitting president should be allowed to seek another term should ultimately be decided by voters, prompting debate over the scope of a proposed constitutional amendment.
"The question of a sitting president serving another term is ultimately a choice for the sovereign people," Cho said at his first news conference since taking office.
Cho, who was elected speaker in June, said 2027 would be an appropriate year to pursue constitutional revision because South Korea is not scheduled to hold a nationwide election that year.
He said the National Assembly should begin formal discussions next year after securing sufficient public debate and agreement between the governing and opposition parties.
Cho's remarks prompted speculation that a proposed presidential re-election system could become entangled with debate over President Lee Jae Myung's eligibility to seek an additional term.
South Korea's Constitution, however, says an amendment extending a president's term or changing the rules governing additional terms cannot apply to the president in office when the amendment is proposed.
Under the current Constitution, South Korean presidents serve a single five-year term and cannot seek re-election.
Any effort to introduce a four-year, two-term presidency would therefore be expected to produce political and legal debate over its effective date and transitional provisions.
Cho said broad public support and bipartisan agreement would be essential for any constitutional amendment to succeed.
He said he would establish a constitutional advisory committee under the speaker's office to organize possible amendments and develop a timetable.
The governing and opposition parties would then be asked to establish a special parliamentary committee on constitutional revision.
A proposed amendment must be introduced by the president or a majority of all National Assembly members. It requires approval from at least two-thirds of lawmakers and must then pass a national referendum.
Speaker pledges faster legislative action
Cho also identified speed as a central principle for the second half of the current National Assembly.
He said stalled legislation involving economic concerns and institutional reforms should be returned to the legislative agenda and bills awaiting a plenary vote should be processed quickly.
Cho proposed that bills approved by standing committees generally be considered during the same parliamentary session.
He also said the final plenary session of each month could be designated as a period for passing bills related to people's livelihoods.
Legislation involving significant disagreements or requiring further deliberation could be delayed, he said.
"Dialogue and compromise will come first, but I will prevent state affairs from being brought to a halt by political conflict," Cho said.
"I will pursue dialogue without hesitation and mediate while making decisions on the side of the people."
-- Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI
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Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260728010010234