President Lee Jae Myung rules out any bid for a second term

President Lee Jae Myung addressed reporters at the Blue House’s state guest house, stating unequivocally that he has no intention of pursuing a second presidential term. He argued that amending the constitution to allow his reelection would be unconstitutional and that he has repeatedly ruled out such a move. Lee suggested that demands for a pledge not to run were used as a political maneuver to create the impression of hesitation.

He described the 1987 Constitution as a product of past compromises and said any amendment should arise from rational debate among parties and broad public agreement. Lee reiterated his long-standing positions on embedding the spirit of the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement and the Busan-Masan uprising in the preamble, expanding citizen rights, shifting certain presidential powers to the National Assembly and local governments, and adopting a two-term limit for stability. He dismissed claims that he aims to introduce a parliamentary or dual-executive system as absurd.