Lee rejects reelection bid speculation, vows to continue reforms

President Lee Jae Myung on Thursday rejected speculation that he would pursue constitutional revision to seek another term, saying he would continue reforms. Lee said an amendment requires support from at least 200 lawmakers, including opposition members, and that he does not favor a parliamentary or semi-presidential system. He also defended prosecution reform and urged patience while institutions adjust.

The Serious Crimes Investigation Agency and Public Prosecution Service were launched on Oct. 2, separating investigative and prosecutorial powers after 78 years of the prosecution service holding both roles.

Lee said his administration had advanced its reform agenda faster than promised but warned that overly radical or hasty changes could cause fatigue.

Lee described himself as the biggest victim of the previous administration and some rogue political prosecutors while saying investigations and indictments remain essential to maintaining social order.

Lee said practical prosecution reform should make institutions function properly while minimizing side effects and opportunities for abuse.

Published Oct 15, 2026 9:37 pm KST

Updated Oct 16, 2026 12:12 am KST

The flag of the Prosecution Service is lowered at the Supreme Prosecutors Office in Seoul, Oct. 1, 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. 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.

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.

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.

李在明总统周四驳斥了有关他将通过修改宪法寻求连任的猜测，并表示将继续推进改革。李在明指出，修宪需要至少200名议员的支持，其中包括反对党议员，而且他本人并不倾向于议会制或半总统制。他还为检控改革辩护，并呼吁民众在体制调整期间保持耐心。

10月2日，重案调查厅和检察机关正式成立，结束了检察机关78年来同时承担调查和检察职能的局面，实现了调查权和检察权的分离。

李表示，他的政府推进改革议程的速度比承诺的要快，但他警告说，过于激进或仓促的变革可能会导致疲劳。

李自称是前任政府和一些不法政治检察官的最大受害者，同时表示调查和起诉对于维护社会秩序仍然至关重要。

李表示，务实的检控改革应该使机构正常运作，同时最大限度地减少副作用和滥用职权的机会。

发布于2026年10月15日晚上9:37（韩国标准时间）

更新于2026年10月16日凌晨12:12（韩国标准时间）

10月1日，首尔最高检察厅降下检察厅旗帜，标志着成立78年后的检察厅正式关闭。次日，检察厅与重案搜查厅一同成立。（韩联社）

周四，李在明总统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。”

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。

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’。”