Hong Joon-pyo "Why elect a 3-year president... Ridiculous claim"

Hong Jun-pyo, the mayor of Daegu, criticized the opinion of shortening the next president's term to three years if an early presidential election is held as a "ridiculous claim."

On the 12th, Mayor Hong responded to a netizen's question posted on his political platform 'Dream of Youth' under the Q&A section titled 'Hong Jun-pyo answers the concerns of youth,' asking, "What do you think about shortening the term of the successor (president)?"

Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo criticized the proposal to shorten the next president's term to three years if an early presidential election is held, calling it an "absurd claim."
On the 12th, Mayor Hong responded to a netizen's question posted on the Q&A board of his political platform 'Youth's Dream,' titled "Hong Joon-pyo answers youth concerns," asking, "What do you think about shortening the successor (president)'s term?"
Photo by Daegu City

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The writer asked, "Regardless of the upcoming 23rd general election, do you support the 4+4 consecutive term system? Or do you think it is right to go with a 4-year consecutive term constitutional amendment without retroactive application to the president at the time of the amendment, just serving three years? Or do you think it is right to amend the constitution but keep the current 5-year single term for now and start the 4-year consecutive term from the successor?"

In response, Mayor Hong said, "I advocate a 4-year consecutive president and vice president system," adding, "If an early presidential election is held, the successor president can conduct the local elections next year, hold the general election in 2028, and then the presidential election at the 2030 local elections, which would allow the timing to be aligned with the general election two years later." Furthermore, regarding the constitutional amendment proposal advocated by Representative Han Dong-hoon and others to shorten the next president's term to three years and introduce a 4-year consecutive term and bicameral legislature, he dismissed it as a "ridiculous claim," saying, "Are we going to spend billions of won on a presidential election just to elect a president for three years?"

The People Power Party will hold the second meeting of the Special Committee on Constitutional Amendment on the 13th, accelerating efforts to prepare a constitutional amendment proposal. Some expect that the proposal might be released as early as that day, but the prevailing view is that it will be difficult for the committee members to reach a consensus within this week. However, since the focus is on a one-point constitutional amendment for a '4-year consecutive presidential term,' it is anticipated that the proposal will be made public soon. The Special Committee on Constitutional Amendment officially launched at its first meeting on the 4th, igniting the 'constitutional amendment debate' in line with President Yoon Seok-yeol's plan for 'term reduction amendment.' The committee is chaired by Joo Ho-young, the deputy speaker of the National Assembly, with members including Seong Il-jong, Shin Seong-beom, Cho Eun-hee, Choi Hyung-doo, and Yoo Sang-beom.

On the 6th, Ahn Cheol-soo, a member of the People Power Party (from the left), Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon, and Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, attended the "Decentralized Power Structure Constitutional Amendment Grand Debate" held at the National Assembly Library. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

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The Special Committee is currently focusing on a one-point constitutional amendment for a '4-year consecutive presidential term.' Other alternatives to mitigate the imperial presidency, such as the 'responsible prime minister system' and the 'bicameral legislature' to prevent the dominance of a large opposition party, are also being discussed but have been postponed for swift national consensus. The People Power Party is speeding up its own constitutional amendment proposal because it believes it must prepare in advance for President Yoon's impeachment trial. If the impeachment is dismissed, they will quickly align with President Yoon's constitutional amendment plan; if the impeachment is upheld, they intend to increase pressure on Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea.

There is also a growing public consensus on constitutional amendments adjusting the president's powers and term. According to a survey conducted by Gallup Korea from the 4th to the 6th via 100% wireless telephone interviews, 54% responded that a constitutional amendment is necessary, while 30% said it is not. For more details, refer to the Central Election Poll Deliberation Commission website.

Conversely, Lee Jae-myung is distancing himself from the constitutional amendment discussions. While it is expected that he will reveal his constitutional amendment plan if the impeachment is upheld, it is likely that he will draw a line against term reduction. It is anticipated that Lee will maintain the next president's 5-year term but introduce a 4-year consecutive term system starting from the successor president.

Although the constitutional amendment debate is gaining attention across party lines day by day, regarding the Democratic Party's lack of an official stance, Han Min-soo, spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Korea, stated on the 12th, "We will release a position if the Constitutional Court decides to dismiss Yoon Seok-yeol's impeachment." In an interview with YTN radio's 'News Fighting, this is Kim Young-soo,' Han said, "Lee Jae-myung has also said several times in the media that what our people really want is for the country to be stable and for daily life to return." He added, "Constitutional amendments should be made cautiously. Those who propose three years just because it is advantageous for their own presidential election strategy, I wonder if they have the will to uphold it."

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