The presidential office said recent remarks by President Lee Jae-myung were "an expression of intent not to serve another term", stepping in to settle divergent readings of what he had meant.

The opposition, noting that the present constitution already bars a further term, asked what the statement itself signified, and questioned whether the remarks had constitutional amendment in view.

The constitution sets a single five-year presidential term and permits neither consecutive nor renewed terms. Changing that structure would require a constitutional amendment.

Debate over amendment, including changes to the structure of executive power, has surfaced intermittently in Korean politics. No common ground has been found on the scope, the timing or the schedule for a referendum.

The presidential office maintained that the remarks were not directly linked to amendment. The opposition asked for further explanation and signalled that it would pursue the matter in the Assembly.

Arguments over term structure tend to unfold in step with the political calendar rather than with the institution itself. Amendment requires both a parliamentary vote and a national referendum, so whether the procedure actually begins will determine how much the debate weighs.