President Lee Proposes "Gradual, Incremental Constitutional Amendments" and Urges Efforts for Progress

President Lee Presides Over Cabinet Meeting in Sejong

On Prosecution Reform: "Disappointed in Process Management... Need Greater Effort in Party-Government Communication"

On Delays in Reviewing Bills Including the Capital Markets Act: "Does

President Lee requested preparations to enable a gradual and step-by-step constitutional amendment, starting with the areas where both the ruling and opposition parties agree and where there is public consensus. This was in response to National Assembly Speaker Woo Wonshik's proposal to hold a constitutional referendum concurrently with the June 3rd local elections. President Lee also expressed frustration that the National Assembly’s Political Affairs Committee has been unable to achieve results regarding the revision of the Capital Markets Act and related matters, attributing this to the opposition party chairperson, and urged that every possible effort be made.

Yonhap News Agency

On March 17, presiding over a cabinet meeting at the Government Complex Sejong, President Lee said, "Didn’t the National Assembly Speaker suggest carrying out constitutional amendments sequentially, starting with topics on which there is agreement and public consent?" He added, "To my recollection, the inclusion of the spirit of the May 18 Democratization Movement in the preamble of the Constitution has always been advocated by the opposition and repeatedly promised, and I do not believe the public would oppose it."

He continued, "I remember the opposition party insisting that the spirit of the Busan-Masan Uprising also be included in the constitutional preamble along with the May 18 Democratization Movement. The Busan-Masan Uprising is also a significant event in our constitutional history, and if we address both at once, it would be fairer and could reduce controversy."

He then urged the government to stay engaged and work to ensure progress. President Lee said, "The government should also take an interest in the constitutional amendment issue and work to ensure progress," adding, "While it may not be the time for the government to take the lead, we should do what we can." He also inquired about the responsible ministry, saying, "This is a reasonable proposal, so it would be good for the government to officially review it and consolidate its position. The Ministry of Government Legislation should discuss this together with the Office for Government Policy Coordination," he instructed.

Referring to the Democratic Party’s announcement that day of the party-government-presidential office agreement on the bill to establish the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency and the Public Prosecution Agency, he mentioned some disappointing aspects in the previous discussions. President Lee said, "I would like misunderstandings over the possibility of prosecutors’ involvement in investigations to be dispelled and clarified. However, I think the process was not managed well."

President Lee added, "I told you to deliberate. Deliberation requires serious debate based on communication, but later, there are people who say, 'I never heard about it,' or, 'I just did it because I was told to,' and in the end, no one takes responsibility." He continued, "The more difficult the issue, the more problematic it becomes if you suppress or restrict discussion just because people are busy. Especially with contentious issues, we must be open and deliberate seriously; otherwise, problems will multiply. I think such tendencies were present again this time." He further emphasized, "To deliberate, genuine communication and trust must be the foundation. We must try harder."

Citing Capital Markets Act Revision: "If the Committee Chair Is from the Opposition, Can Nothing Be Done?"

Yonhap News

President Lee, citing the revision of the Capital Markets Act, expressed frustration over the slow progress of the bill review. He said, "The Political Affairs Committee is the problem. If the chair is from the opposition, does that mean nothing can be done?" President Lee continued, "This is a real problem. When it comes to the country's future, if the National Assembly has a majority, they should debate accordingly, and if consensus cannot be reached, opinions should at least be shared. Not doing anything at all is unacceptable."

He added, "This is such a critical time. While there may be little we can do, it seems extremely unfair. Progress has stalled, and nothing is being accomplished." He instructed cabinet ministers, "It seems that the standing committee is not convening at all. Please go and plead with them, or appeal to open a meeting—do whatever it takes." He added, "Even if it doesn’t work, you must still try."

President Lee also called for expediting the investigation into the December 29 Jeju Air passenger plane disaster. He said, "Investigations are not something that can be done at will, but this is taking too long. It is taking far too long." He stressed, "Public officials should be more alert to the fact that their actions or decisions can have tremendous consequences for the public." Regarding the controversy over inadequate handling of the incident, as additional remains of victims were discovered 15 months after the disaster, he said, "It seems the bereaved families are extremely upset. It is simply incomprehensible," instructing officials to ascertain the details of the circumstances.

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