Yoo Jeong-bok, the mayor of Incheon, strongly criticized Lee Jae-myung, the former leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, on the 10th for rejecting the National Assembly's proposal to conduct a constitutional amendment national referendum simultaneously on the presidential election day, which is June 3.
Yoo, who is running in the presidential primary, held a press conference at the National Assembly's communication room on the same day and stated, "The Democratic Party, which suppresses the desire for a constitutional amendment, which reflects the public's aspirations, is no longer a party of value," adding, "Lee, the former leader, should be prepared for public resistance as he retracted even the low-level proposal to simultaneously conduct the presidential election and constitutional amendment national referendum suggested by the National Assembly Speaker within days."
Earlier, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-sik proposed on the 6th that a constitutional amendment referendum be conducted simultaneously on the presidential election day. The Democratic Party leadership effectively rejected it, stating, "Resolving internal conflict comes first." Lee also rejected it on the 7th, saying, "For now, preventing the destruction of democracy is much more urgent and important." Following this, Woo canceled his remarks.
Yoo stated, "Is it really a proper party that does not allow any dissenting opinion against the will of one person, the former leader?" He added, "The Democratic Party, which is a one-man dictatorship, makes me shudder to think about what will happen to the country if it comes to power."
He continued, "If the former leader has influenced the suspension of the constitutional amendment process, he should immediately give up his candidacy for the presidential election," and noted, "Woo should also issue a public apology for his action to suspend the constitutional amendment process."
Yoo also demanded, "As the former leader has said it is possible to include strengthening martial law requirements in the constitution, he should agree to my proposal to limit the presidential immunity from prosecution under Article 84 of the Constitution to 'criminal cases occurring during the term.'"
In response to questions from reporters about the 'Han Duck-soo candidacy theory,' he responded, "I do not oppose Acting Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's candidacy." However, he added, "It is possible for him to register and participate in the primary, but isn't it realistically impossible?"
Yoo, who is serving as the chair of the Council of Provincial Governors from this year, argued early on that there should be a push for a 'decentralized constitutional amendment' centered on a four-year presidential term system and a bicameral legislature.