National Assembly Speaker Jo Jeong-sik holding a press conference [Seoul=Yonhap News] 

National Assembly Speaker Jo Jeong-sik is sparking controversy both within and outside political circles after suggesting on the 28th that a "constitutional amendment for a sitting president's consecutive term" is a matter of public choice.

Although the Speaker's office attempted to downplay the remarks as "principled," noting that Speaker Jo is fully aware that such an action is impossible under current constitutional provisions, these efforts have failed to dispel speculation that he might be "leaving the door open for President Lee Jae-myung's potential consecutive term."

As conservative opposition parties ramp up criticism, labeling the ruling party's push for constitutional amendment a "precursor" to securing a consecutive term for President Lee, the debate surrounding the sensitive issues of presidential tenure and the restructuring of power is expected to continue for some time.

During a press conference at the National Assembly that day, when asked about the opposition's stance against extending the sitting president's term through a constitutional amendment, Speaker Jo stated, "Regarding the restructuring of power, issues such as constitutional amendments for a sitting president's consecutive term are ultimately a matter of public opinion and the choice of the sovereign people."

Analysts suggest that Speaker Jo's remarks represent a shift in tone from the Democratic Party's previous stance, which had effectively ruled out the possibility of a consecutive term for the incumbent president.

Former National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik previously drew a clear line on the issue during his term, stating in a radio interview that "if a constitutional amendment regarding presidential term limits or consecutive terms is made, it does not apply to the incumbent president."

President Lee himself, during a meeting of the ruling and opposition parties' consultative body on public livelihood economy held at the Blue House this past April, responded to a request from People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok to "renounce any intention for a consecutive or repeat term before discussing constitutional amendments" by noting that it would be impossible under the current Constitution.

President Lee stated at the time, "It is impossible to amend and pass the currently proposed constitutional amendment, and is it not also impossible given that the opposition party has secured the 'constitutional amendment blocking line'?"

While Speaker Jo's remarks at the conference are being interpreted as suggesting that a constitutional amendment for a sitting president's consecutive term could be possible depending on public desire, such an amendment is prohibited by the current Constitution.

Article 128, Paragraph 2 of the Constitution explicitly states: "Amendments to the Constitution for the extension of the term of office of the President or for a change in the consecutive term limit shall not be effective for the President in office at the time of the proposal for such constitutional amendment."

This means that for President Lee to serve a consecutive term, a constitutional amendment to revise or delete this specific clause would have to be passed first.

Jang Hyun-ju, National Assembly Public Communications Chief, stating the Speaker's position on constitutional reform [Seoul=Yonhap News] 

The Speaker’s office utilized the current constitutional provisions to douse the flames as the controversy spread.

Jang Hyun-ju, the Public Communications Chief for the Speaker's office, explained in a separate briefing that "Speaker Jo is fully aware of the contents of Article 128, Paragraph 2 of the Constitution," and that "Speaker Jo's response was merely a principled statement that any such process must be based on public consensus and agreement among political circles."

In this context, the Speaker's office attempted to draw a line by stating that "reports suggesting the Speaker left the door open for the sitting president to serve a consecutive term are untrue," but the offensive from the conservative opposition continued.

People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok expressed his stance at the National Assembly, noting that Speaker Jo was formerly a special political advisor to President Lee Jae-myung, and criticized him by saying, "If President Lee truly pursues a consecutive term constitutional amendment in defiance of the will of the people and the spirit of the current Constitution, that would be an act of genuine insurrection."

Independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon claimed, "This is the Lee Jae-myung regime preparing 'Plan B: Lee Jae-myung consecutive term amendment' in anticipation of the failure of 'Plan A: withdrawal of indictment against Lee Jae-myung.' This is an act of destroying the constitutional order on par with illegal martial law. It is a path to dictatorship that can never be tolerated."

Representative Jang Dong-hyeok expressing his position on Speaker Jo Jeong-sik's 'consecutive term' comments [Seoul=Yonhap News] 

The ruling party appears to hope that unnecessary controversy will not spread, given that the Speaker's office has sufficiently explained the intent behind Speaker Jo's remarks. However, some voices of criticism have emerged from within as well.

Former National Assembly Secretary-General Yoo In-tae pointed out on SBS's "Joo Young-jin’s News Briefing" that Speaker Jo was "wrong" to make the comments regarding a "consecutive term amendment."

Former Secretary-General Yoo stated, "I had lunch with the party’s standing advisors, and when it was mentioned that such talk (of a consecutive term) was circulating, they all unanimously said, 'Does that even make sense?' and 'How could you possibly do a consecutive term system?'"

Some analysts suggest that with the issue of a "consecutive term amendment" surfacing during the national convention to elect the next leader of the Democratic Party, it will draw attention as it becomes intertwined with the restructuring of the ruling party's future power dynamics.

There are also those who view it as all the more significant that Speaker Jo, considered a key leader of the pro-Lee (pro-Lee Jae-myung) faction, brought up the idea of a "consecutive term amendment based on the choice of the sovereign people."