[Presidential Election D-1 Month Pledge Analysis③-Political Reform] Yoon, Ahn, and Shim Distance Themselves from Lee's Constitutional Amendment Proposal... "Election Is Near, Issue Emergence Is Late"

Lee raises '4-year two-term system' constitutional amendment
"Personal conviction," no specific roadmap provided

Yoon, Ahn, and Shim focus on dispersing Cheong power

Candidates show four distinct approaches to government reorganization including dismantling Ministry of Economy and Finance and abolishing Ministry of Gender Equality
New administration's governance style expected to change significantly

"A four-year renewable term system is necessary for responsible politics. I will create an integrated government and a national cabinet that do not discriminate by faction in talent and policy" (Candidate Lee Jae-myung)

"Decentralized responsible minister system, abolition of the Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs Office... I will dismantle the existing Blue House and establish a new presidential office in Gwanghwamun" (Candidate Yoon Seok-youl)

The ruling and opposition candidates emphasize different points in their 'political reform' pledges. Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, advocates for a 'constitutional amendment' centered on a four-year renewable presidential term and an 'integrated government,' while Yoon Seok-youl, the People Power Party candidate, emphasizes the 'Gwanghwamun era' focused on downsizing the Blue House organization. Both candidates focus on power decentralization, but Lee places more weight on reforming Yeouido, whereas Yoon emphasizes reforming the Blue House.

◆Lee Raises Constitutional Amendment... Yoon, Ahn, and Sim Keep Distance

The most proactive about constitutional amendment is candidate Lee Jae-myung. Last month, he said, "A four-year renewable term system for responsible politics is necessary." He emphasized that if elected president, he would shorten the presidential term by one year to change it to a four-year renewable term system. If the constitutional amendment proceeds as Lee proposed, the presidential and local elections will be held simultaneously in 2026, four years later. Additionally, a general election will be held every two years of the presidential term, enabling a 'mid-term evaluation' of the president.

The constitutional amendment debate has long been a heated topic during past presidential election periods. Since the 1987 constitutional amendment introducing direct presidential elections and a single five-year term, it has mainly surfaced toward the end of administrations. It has been discussed to prevent administrative cost waste from holding local elections every four years and presidential elections every five years, and to curb the drawbacks of the 'imperial presidency' where power is concentrated in the Blue House. However, it has always been suspected of political motives. This time is no different.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the other hand, candidate Yoon drew a line against Lee's 'four-year renewable term' amendment, saying, "I don't know how the public will judge the sincerity of this so close to the presidential election." Ahn Cheol-soo of the People’s Party and Sim Sang-jung of the Justice Party dismissed it as a "deception," undermining the purity of the proposal's intent. Especially, Ahn and Sim said the four-year renewable term is "like saying the president will serve eight years," with Ahn prioritizing a 'decentralized presidential system' and Sim emphasizing 'reducing Blue House power and strengthening parliamentary democracy.' Even Lee himself only floated the amendment as a matter of principle without presenting a concrete roadmap, so as Yoon assessed, it is likely to remain an 'election issue.'

Professor Choi Chang-ryeol of Yongin University said, "The discussion on constitutional amendment itself is quite meaningful," but added, "It should have become an issue earlier, but with the election so close, it is late to make it a major topic." He analyzed, "Because it is such a grand discourse and concerns the power structure, it is difficult to gain support from other candidates in such a short time."

◆Power Decentralization: Yeouido vs. Blue House

Looking at the power structure reform pledges, candidate Lee focuses on the National Assembly, while the other candidates focus on 'decentralizing Blue House power.'

Lee said, "We cannot overcome crises with vested interest politics trapped in Yeouido, nor unify the people with unstable leadership," and proposed an 'integrated government' that broadly appoints necessary talents for the people regardless of party or age to form a completely new cabinet. Specifically, he suggested appointing ministers in their 30s and 40s, eliminating revolving-door personnel, and shifting to field-oriented leadership. The Democratic Party’s Party Innovation Promotion Committee also supported Lee’s Yeouido reform with the 'Innovation 7 Laws,' including limiting National Assembly members to three consecutive terms in the same district, preventing satellite party formation, restricting parliamentary immunity and non-arrest privileges, institutionalizing the Ethics Committee, and introducing a recall system for lawmakers.

Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, is answering questions from reporters after finishing the announcement of political pledges at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 27th. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

In contrast, candidate Yoon declared a break from the 'extra-legal president' by focusing on "the president doing only what only the president can do" and relinquishing Blue House power. He announced that "if I become president, the existing Blue House will disappear," and that he would operate the presidential office with a streamlined staff and sector-specific 'public-private joint committees.' He also expressed ambition to open the 'Gwanghwamun era' by building the new presidential office in the Gwanghwamun Government Complex. He mentioned abolishing the Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs Office. The Blue House’s status as the highest power institution comes from the investigative function of the Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs Office, which he intends to relinquish. Candidates Ahn and Sim also share voices supporting the abolition of the Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs Office.

Ahn, who has advocated for abolishing the Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs Office since his 2017 presidential run, has called for reducing presidential powers through forming a 'national unity cabinet' to realize coalition politics, while Sim emphasizes 'multi-party responsible coalition government,' advocating decentralization of Blue House power and parliament-centered democracy.

◆Dismantling the Ministry of Economy and Finance and Abolishing the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family

Regarding government organization reform, presidential candidates have each proposed different plans. It is expected that not only the government organization but also the national administration methods will change significantly when the new government takes office.

Lee’s representative pledge is the 'dismantling of the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MOEF).' He argues that the problem lies in MOEF having planning, budgeting, and execution functions all combined, and proposes placing the budgeting function directly under the Blue House. If MOEF’s authority is separated, discussions on restructuring financial industry policy functions will be inevitable, increasing the need to reorganize financial authorities such as the Financial Services Commission. Lee also promised to establish a new Ministry of Climate and Energy by merging the energy function of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the climate function of the Ministry of Environment, as well as setting up a Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and a Real Estate Supervisory Agency to promote carbon neutrality policies.

Candidate Yoon raised the abolition of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family (MOGEF) to boost support among men in their 20s. However, abolishing MOGEF will inevitably require reorganizing its unique welfare functions. Yoon said, "I will promote the establishment of a new ministry that comprehensively handles social issues such as children, families, and population." He also plans to establish a Digital Innovation Ministry and a National Science Council directly under the president.

Candidate Ahn, who advocates being a science and technology president, promised to establish a Deputy Prime Minister for Science and Technology responsible for science and technology, future industries, digital information and communications, and the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Candidate Sim, who prioritizes the climate crisis, proposes establishing a Ministry of Climate and Energy. Each candidate is actively promoting 'customized ministry establishment' aligned with their key pledges and strengths.