What did Cho Jeong-sik say about constitutional revision and Lee Jae Myung seeking a second term?

Cho said the extension of a sitting president’s term is not a subject for constitutional revision under Article 128. He urged that the issue no longer be used for political conflict.

Which countries does Cho Jeong-sik plan to visit next year, and why?

Cho said he plans to visit major countries, including the United States and China, next year as part of efforts to further advance Korea’s national interest.

Nat'l Assembly speaker vows push for constitutional revision, rules out Lee seeking 2nd term

Q: What steps does Cho Jeong-sik plan to take to advance constitutional reform?

Cho said the National Assembly should take the lead. He plans to launch an advisory committee under his office soon to determine the revision’s direction and key priorities.

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Summary

National Assembly Speaker Cho Jeong-sik reaffirmed his push for constitutional revision on Wednesday, saying it would not allow President Lee Jae Myung to seek a second term. Speaking at a Kwanhun Club discussion, Cho said the National Assembly should lead reform and that a sitting president’s term extension was not up for discussion. He plans to launch an advisory committee under his office soon to set priorities for the revision. Cho also said he plans to visit the United States and China next year.

Key Facts

Cho said Article 128 of the Constitution excludes extending a sitting president’s term from constitutional revision discussions.
The Constitution limits presidents to one five-year term.
An amendment extending the presidential term would not apply to the president in office when the amendment is proposed.

By Yonhap

Published Nov 11, 2026 12:02 pm KST

National Assembly Speaker Cho Jeong-sik addresses the second Korea-U.S. Forum in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap

National Assembly Speaker Cho Jeong-sik on Wednesday reaffirmed his commitment to pushing for a constitutional revision, rejecting opposition claims that the revision would be aimed at allowing President Lee Jae Myung to seek a second term.

Cho's remarks came as opposition lawmakers have questioned whether he had left open the possibility of Lee seeking another term after he told a press conference in July that an incumbent president's eligibility to seek another term would be up to the people to decide.

"As stipulated in Article 128 of the Constitution, the extension of a sitting president's term is not a subject of discussions for a constitutional revision," Cho said during a discussion hosted by the Kwanhun Club, a senior journalists' association. "This should no longer be used for political conflict."

Cho said the National Assembly should take the lead in pursuing constitutional reform, adding he plans to launch an advisory committee under his office soon to set the direction and key priorities for the revision.

He also pledged efforts to further advance Korea's national interest, saying he plans to visit major countries, including the United States and China, next year.

Currently, the Constitution limits presidents to a single, five-year term and stipulates that an amendment to extend the term will not be effective for the president in office at the time the amendment is proposed.

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