'Constitutional Amendment Spark' Rekindled but Distanced by Cheong Wa Dae... Burden of Presidential Election Interference Controversy

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] As the constitutional amendment issue is reignited mainly in the political sphere, the Blue House is refraining from official comments and maintaining a 'distance' from the constitutional amendment issue. President Moon Jae-in empathizes with the necessity of constitutional amendment, having pledged it during his candidacy, but it is ambiguous for him to take the lead in the discussion less than a year before the presidential election. In this year's New Year's press conference and the 4th anniversary speech held on the 10th of last month, President Moon did not include any messages about constitutional amendment.

During his candidacy, President Moon pledged a constitutional amendment for a 'four-year two-term system.' He also attempted to push for constitutional amendment simultaneously with the 2018 local elections, but it was scrapped due to opposition from the opposition party. Additionally, at the New Year's press conference in early 2018, he expressed the opinion that "a four-year two-term constitutional amendment is the most desirable," and at the 2020 New Year's press conference, he deferred the responsibility for constitutional amendment to the National Assembly.

With it becoming practically difficult for President Moon to lead the constitutional amendment as his term nears its end, whether the leading presidential candidates agree on constitutional amendment has become important. Currently, Yoon Seok-youl, the leading opposition presidential candidate, has not made a clear stance regarding constitutional amendment, while Lee Jae-myung, the leading ruling party presidential candidate and Governor of Gyeonggi Province, holds the position that "it should be discussed in the next administration."

Even if President Moon does not lead the constitutional amendment, it is possible to expect ways to send a 'positive signal' to the constitutional amendment discussions originating from the political sphere. However, experts express concerns that this could lead to a situation similar to the late Park Geun-hye administration. Professor Park Sang-byeong of Inha University Graduate School of Policy said, "If the Blue House agrees to the constitutional amendment theory, a frame of 'phase change tactic' could be created, making it difficult to secure political momentum in the fifth year of the Moon administration," adding, "The four-year two-term constitutional amendment was discussed early in the administration but was scrapped due to opposition from the opposition party; if it is pushed again, it could be criticized as 'shaking the opposition party,' which is burdensome." Professor Shin Yul of Myongji University's Department of Political Science and Diplomacy said more specifically, "Currently, the constitutional amendment theory within the ruling party seems to be aimed at checking Governor Lee Jae-myung," and "The Blue House is unlikely to readily accept this."

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