President Lee Jae Myung delivers remarks at a luncheon with Korean expatriates at a hotel in Paris on Wednesday (local time). (Yonhap)
President Lee Jae Myung delivers remarks at a luncheon with Korean expatriates at a hotel in Paris on Wednesday (local time). (Yonhap)

President Lee Jae Myung, on a state visit to France, drew a line on Tuesday (local time) against opposition claims that he is seeking to extend his term, saying, "My term is clearly limited."

Speaking at a luncheon with Korean expatriates in Paris that day, Lee said, "In any case, my term is clearly limited under the Constitution, so we need to start (summit diplomacy) quickly in order to enjoy its effects for a long time."

"No matter how good a relationship we build with other countries later in my term, the opportunities to make use of it will inevitably be limited," he went on to say.

"Traveling abroad now is different from when I traveled early in my term," Lee said. "The way other countries view South Korea, what they ask of South Korea, and the fields they want to discuss or cooperate on are changing a great deal."

He went on to say, "Truly earth-shaking changes are taking place in our international standing, and we need to make the most of this opportunity," adding, "I will work to ensure you have no cause to worry about South Korea going forward."


sang@heraldcorp.com