Lee Jae Myung Proposes Four-Year Consecutive Presidential Term Amendment... Calls for National Referendum by 2028 General Election (Comprehensive)

"Strengthening Presidential Accountability and Dispersing Power"
Proposal for a National Referendum During Local or General Elections

On May 18, Lee Jae Myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, unveiled a constitutional amendment proposal centered on introducing a four-year presidential term with the possibility of one consecutive re-election, as well as a runoff voting system. Lee also suggested that this amendment be put to a national referendum during either next year's local elections or the 2028 general elections.

Through his Facebook account that day, Lee stated, "If we introduce a four-year presidential term with the possibility of re-election, it will allow for a mid-term evaluation of the administration, thereby strengthening accountability," adding, "Let us reinforce presidential responsibility while dispersing presidential power."

He said, "Our current Constitution is a symbol of victory won directly by the Korean people in 1987, standing up against the harsh military dictatorship," and added, "However, during the 12·3 Martial Law, the constitutional order and democracy of the Republic of Korea were thoroughly trampled."

Lee Jae Myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, is giving a speech at the "Revolution of Light" campaign rally held at Cheonggye Plaza in Seoul on May 12, 2025, the day the official campaign for the 21st presidential election began. Photo by Kim Hyun Min

Lee continued, "Although the great people held arrogant rulers accountable, the vulnerabilities in our Constitution and democracy revealed during this process have left us with even greater tasks. Parties such as the Democratic Party of Korea and the People Power Party have reached agreement on some constitutional amendment issues. There is social consensus on including the spirit of the 5·18 Gwangju Democratization Movement in the Constitution and on strengthening the requirements for martial law," he explained.

He went on to say, "However, major agendas such as the four-year consecutive presidential term and the responsible prime minister system have not reached consensus, and we have also faced procedural limitations such as the need to revise the National Referendum Act, which has stalled the progress of constitutional amendment. Let us resume the halted steps. Now is the time to establish a new system that fits the current era and to build a Constitution as a stronger safety net for democracy."

Regarding the appointment of the prime minister, Lee stated, "Let us require that the prime minister can only be appointed upon recommendation by the National Assembly," and added, "The president should respect the authority of the prime minister, and the prime minister should be able to carry out their duties more reliably."

He also argued, "When appointing the heads of investigative agencies and neutral institutions where neutrality is essential, such as the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, the Prosecutors’ Office, the National Police Agency, the Korea Communications Commission, and the National Human Rights Commission, the consent of the National Assembly must be obtained," emphasizing, "We must prevent the president from privatizing power agencies."

Lee also included in his constitutional amendment proposal a plan for prosecution reform, stating, "We should abolish the provision granting the prosecution the exclusive right to request warrants, and allow other agencies with legitimate authority to request warrants, making mutual checks among investigative agencies possible."

Regarding the Board of Audit and Inspection, he said, "It should not become an institution that merely supports the president. It must faithfully perform its role as a strict watchdog," and added, "It should be transferred under the National Assembly to guarantee its independence. At the same time, maintaining independence from the majority party in the National Assembly is also important."

He also argued that the president's right to request reconsideration (veto power) should be limited. Lee said, "The president's veto power has often been exercised indiscriminately, contrary to the democratic principle of checks and balances," and added, "If a bill is related to corruption or crimes involving the president or their immediate family, the president should be fundamentally prohibited from exercising the veto."

Lee Jae Myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, raises his hand to greet voters at the "Revolution of Light" rally held at Cheonggye Plaza in Seoul on the 12th, marking the official start of the 21st presidential election campaign. 2025.5.12 Photo by Kim Hyun Min

He further stated, "If this rule is not observed, the National Assembly should be able to file a constitutional dispute with the Constitutional Court, thereby upholding the value of the separation of powers."

Regarding martial law, Lee said, "If the president wishes to issue an emergency order or declare martial law, they must notify and obtain approval from the National Assembly in advance, thereby strengthening the National Assembly's control. Even in urgent situations, if the National Assembly's approval is not obtained within 24 hours, the measure should automatically lose its effect. We must prevent 'midnight martial law' from happening."

Lee proposed discussions to strengthen and expand fundamental rights such as the right to safety, the right to life, and the basic right to information, as well as to guarantee local autonomy, stating, "For this purpose, we should establish a new constitutional body in which the president, the prime minister, relevant cabinet ministers, and heads of local governments all participate."

He continued, "As already agreed, let us include the spirit of the 5·18 Gwangju Democratization Movement in the preamble of the Constitution," and added, "Let us also begin social discussions so that the history of the people’s victories, such as the Buma Uprising, the June 10 Uprising, the Candlelight Revolution, and the Revolution of Light, can be included in the Constitution."

Regarding the timing of the constitutional amendment, Lee explained, "If discussions proceed quickly, we can ask the will of the people during the 2026 local elections, or at the latest, during the 2028 general elections." He added, "To this end, let us revise the National Referendum Act to lay the groundwork for constitutional amendment, establish a special committee on constitutional amendment in the National Assembly, and complete the amendment step by step through consensus."

Lee reiterated, "We must prepare a truly new Constitution for the Republic of Korea," and emphasized, "I, Lee Jae Myung, will do my utmost in my role to ensure that the discussions proceed in accordance with the will of the people and that the constitutional amendment is ultimately realized."