Lee rejects reelection bid speculation, vows to continue reforms

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SEOUL, Oct. 15 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung on Thursday dismissed speculation that he would seek a constitutional revision to allow himself to serve another term, pledging to press ahead with reforms.

"Though my methods and approaches have become more pragmatic and cautious, my goals have not changed," Lee wrote on X in response to a post expressing disappointment over concerns about a constitutional revision and the possibility that reforms could be weakened.

President Lee Jae Myung speaks during a meeting on population strategies at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Oct. 14, 2026. (Yonhap)

Lee stressed that a constitutional revision requires the support of at least 200 lawmakers, including opposition lawmakers, and cannot be pursued at his discretion.

"There is no need to be concerned about conspiracy theories about constitutional revision for reelection or political realignment," he said, adding that a parliamentary or semi-presidential system was not his preferred direction for constitutional reform.

Lee has repeatedly denied any intention to seek reelection through a constitutional revision amid opposition accusations that he may push for a constitutional reform to extend his time in office.

Lee also reaffirmed his commitment to reform, saying his administration had moved faster than promised on its agenda, though pursuing reforms too radically or hastily could have rather caused "fatigue."

"If there are reforms that remain insufficient, please point to specific tasks," he said, pledging to implement them swiftly where possible.

The flag of the Prosecution Service is lowered at the Supreme Prosecutors Office in Seoul, in this file photo from Oct. 1, 2026, as the office is shut down 78 years after it was founded. The Public Prosecution Service, along with the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, was launched the next day. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)

On prosecution reform, Lee said he was "the biggest victim of the previous administration and some rogue political prosecutors" while stressing that investigations and indictments remain essential functions for maintaining social order.

"Practical reform means ensuring that institutions function properly while minimizing side effects and the possibility of abuse," Lee said, emphasizing that the new system needs to work as intended.

On Oct. 2, the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency (SCIA) and the Public Prosecution Service were launched as part of a sweeping overhaul that separated investigative and prosecutorial powers after 78 years of the prosecution service holding both roles.

"If you are a little more patient and join forces, we can move closer to the 'world where we live together' that we all hope for," Lee said.

graceoh@yna.co.kr (END)

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这将使谷歌能够向您展示与您的搜索匹配或相关的韩联社新闻文章

首尔，10月15日（韩联社）——韩国总统李在明周四驳斥了有关他将寻求修改宪法以允许自己连任的猜测，并承诺将继续推进改革。

李在X上回应一篇表达对宪法修订的担忧以及改革可能被削弱的失望之情的帖子时写道：“虽然我的方法和手段变得更加务实和谨慎，但我的目标并没有改变。”

2026年10月14日，韩国总统李在明在首尔青瓦台出席人口战略会议并发表讲话。（韩联社）

李显龙强调，修改宪法需要至少200名立法者的支持，其中包括反对派立法者，不能由他个人决定。

他说：“没有必要担心有关通过修改宪法来连任或进行政治重组的阴谋论”，并补充说，议会制或半总统制并不是他所希望的宪法改革方向。

反对派指责李光耀可能推动宪法改革以延长其任期，但他一再否认有意通过修改宪法寻求连任。

李显龙还重申了他对改革的承诺，称他的政府在推进改革议程方面比承诺的要快，尽管过于激进或仓促地推行改革反而可能导致“疲劳”。

“如果还有改革措施不足，请指出具体任务，”他说道，并承诺在条件允许的情况下迅速落实这些措施。

这张摄于2026年10月1日的资料照片显示，首尔最高检察厅的检察机关旗帜降下，标志着该机关在成立78年后正式关闭。次日，检察机关和重案搜查厅正式成立。（联营照片）（韩联社）

关于检控改革，李表示他是“前任政府和一些不法政治检察官的最大受害者”，同时强调调查和起诉仍然是维护社会秩序的重要职能。

李说：“务实的改革意味着确保机构正常运作，同时最大限度地减少副作用和滥用的可能性。”他强调，新制度需要按预期发挥作用。

10 月 2 日，严重犯罪调查局 (SCIA) 和公共检察机关成立，这是彻底改革的一部分，旨在将调查权和检察权分开，此前检察机关同时承担了 78 年的调查和检察职能。

李说：“如果大家能多一些耐心，齐心协力，我们就能更接近我们都希望的‘人人共享的世界’。”

graceoh@yna.co.kr (完)

（导语）李重申，他不会通过修改宪法寻求连任。

李正式任命首任负责重大案件调查的机构负责人

（导语）李显龙在就职500天前承诺将民生放在首位

（第三条）韩国推出缩减规模的检察机关和新的调查机构，进行重大改革

李光耀否认竞选连任的猜测，誓言继续推进改革