Consensus on Ending the '87 System... Momentum Builds for Decentralized Constitutional Amendment [Key Issues for the New Administration]

An Era of Political Division: Seeking Institutional Reform
Constitutional Amendment Needed to Decentralize Presidential Power
Consensus on Presidential Runoff System, Doubts Over National Assembly Nomination of Prime Minister

Editor's NoteA new government will begin on June 4. Due to the early scheduling of the 21st presidential election, there is no transition period for the transfer of power, and the new administration must immediately take charge of state affairs. Expectations are high for the new government, and so is the burden. This three-part series will analyze the key issues the new administration must address.

With the 21st presidential election approaching, there is growing interest in whether the new administration will realize constitutional amendment proposals promised by presidential candidates, such as a four-year presidential re-election or consecutive term system. While there is a consensus on the need to end the so-called '87 System,' constitutional amendment discussions have often failed after a party takes power, due to conflicting interests among political parties. Given that this would be the first constitutional amendment in 38 years, there are calls for not only a restructuring of the power structure but also for the spirit of the times to be actively reflected.

◆Three Years of Lip Service to Cooperation... Conflicts Remain Unchanged

Lee Jae Myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, and Yoon Seok Yeol, the People Power Party presidential candidate, are attending a media event held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 24th, exchanging greetings. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group

"If the interests of the people and the nation, rather than political gains or losses, become the standard for state affairs, there will be no separate progressive or conservative Korea, nor will there be a divide between Yeongho and Honam." (March 10, 2022, then President-elect Yoon Seok Yeol), "Please usher in an era of unity and harmony, overcoming division and conflict." (March 10, 2022, Lee Jae Myung, Democratic Party presidential candidate)

On March 10, 2022, the day the outcome of the 20th presidential election was decided, former President Yoon and candidate Lee Jae Myung each pledged unity and harmony in their acceptance and concession speeches. They vowed to move beyond the ruling-opposition conflict that had intensified during the Moon Jae In administration and the 20th presidential election, and to join forces to overcome COVID-19 and the economic and livelihood crises.

However, the honeymoon did not last long. Former President Yoon's unilateral approach, the stubbornness of the then-ruling People Power Party, and the arrogance of the broad opposition, including the Democratic Party, which won both the 21st and 22nd general elections, clashed fiercely. Notable examples include the exercise of the right to request reconsideration (veto) and the submission of impeachment motions. Before his removal from office, former President Yoon exercised his veto 25 times against bills led by the opposition, while the Democratic Party countered by submitting a total of 31 impeachment motions, starting with then-Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang Min in February 2023 and most recently Prosecutor General Sim Woo Jung on the 1st of this month. In December last year, when the opposition pushed through an unprecedented budget cut bill, former President Yoon triggered the extreme political situation of the 12·3 Emergency Martial Law.

During the 21st presidential election, political attacks between camps have also crossed the line. Candidates have labeled their rivals as "insurrectionists," "criminals," and "misogynists," rallying their supporters accordingly. Public concern over political conflict continues to deepen. According to a survey on social integration by Statistics Korea and the Korea Institute of Public Administration, among eight elements of social conflict last year, the conflict between conservatives and progressives (77.5%) was cited as the most serious. Looking at the past ten years since 2015, except for 2021 when the conflict between the poor and the middle-upper class was highest, the public has consistently viewed this as the most serious social conflict factor.

◆'Absolute Power Is the Problem'... Growing Need for Constitutional Amendment

Yonhap News Agency

In the wake of the 12·3 Emergency Martial Law, there are growing calls to bring the divided political sphere into a forum for cooperation. The reality that cooperation and unity are only emphasized during elections, but the confrontation between ruling and opposition parties becomes entrenched after a new president is elected, negatively affects all sectors, including society, the economy, and foreign affairs.

There are increasing opinions both inside and outside the political sphere that institutional mechanisms are needed to prevent the president from wielding excessive power, and that constitutional amendment is urgently required as a solution. The 1987 Constitution, enacted to prevent term extensions and restore direct presidential elections, is now seen as insufficient to stop the recurrence of an imperial presidency.

Lee Byung Hoon, professor of sociology at Chung-Ang University, said, "In a situation where crises are emerging both domestically and internationally, many citizens are demanding that political integration and livelihood issues be prioritized, but this is not happening." He continued, "A constitutional amendment is necessary to check the imperial presidency and concentration of power, and to ensure diversity." Professor Lee further suggested, "Since the two-party confrontation stems from a winner-takes-all electoral system, the electoral system should be reformed. As a medium-term task for the new administration, a major social reform should be adopted to represent the disadvantaged, workers, and youth."

◆Similar Yet Different by Candidate... Experts Call for Strengthening Separation of Powers and Restructuring Power Structure

Acting President Han Ducksoo delivered the government's policy speech on the first supplementary budget for 2025 at the National Assembly plenary session in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 24th. Members of the Party for National Innovation, the Social Democratic Party, and the Progressive Party walked out demanding the halt of the treasonous negotiations. 2025.4.24 Photo by Kim Hyunmin

As of the 29th, according to the political community, candidate Lee Jae Myung supports a four-year presidential re-election system, while Kim Moon Soo of the People Power Party and Lee Jun Seok of the Reform Party support a four-year consecutive term system. Kwon Young Guk of the Democratic Labor Party has not expressed a separate opinion. The difference is that the re-election system allows for consecutive terms, while the consecutive term system allows a president to serve a term, take a break, and then be re-elected. Kim Moon Soo has proposed shortening the term to three years in the case of an early presidential election.

Regarding the runoff voting system, all three candidates except Kim Moon Soo have expressed support. The runoff system requires the top two candidates to compete in a second round if no one wins a majority in the first round. This naturally encourages policy cooperation with third- and fourth-place candidates, and the eventual winner secures more than 50% support, thereby strengthening democratic legitimacy.

Experts agree on the need to disperse presidential powers but are skeptical about the National Assembly nominating the prime minister. Lee Jun Han, professor of political science and international relations at Incheon National University, said, "Presidential powers should be dispersed," adding, "Rather than decentralization by having the National Assembly nominate the prime minister, we should strengthen the separation of powers." He continued, "We should move toward a pure presidential system where the National Assembly holds all legislative and budgetary powers, and all appointments to power agencies should be made independently."

Shin Yul, professor of political science and international relations at Myongji University, said, "Since this election is being held due to the martial law situation, it is necessary to change the power structure." However, he cautioned, "As the U.S. case shows, this could result in electing an imperial president for eight years." He further pointed out, "Having the National Assembly nominate the prime minister is essentially a semi-presidential system, but it is ineffective. If a particular party holds an overwhelming majority, what effect could this possibly have?"