Policy Planning Committee Details Constitutional Amendment Plans... Opposition Cooperation Uncertain

Discussion on President Lee's Constitutional Amendment Campaign Pledge

The National Policy Planning Committee is working to flesh out President Lee Jae Myung's constitutional amendment initiative, which was one of his presidential campaign pledges.

President Lee Jae Myung met with the press after attending the 45th anniversary ceremony of the May 18 Democratic Movement held on May 18 in Buk-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, at the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery during the presidential election period. He responded to questions about his stance on constitutional amendment announced that day. Photo by Yonhap News joint press corps

On the afternoon of the 6th, the committee met with the civic group "People-Led Mutual Benefit Constitutional Amendment Action" to discuss ways to pursue constitutional reform. Cho Seung Rae, spokesperson for the committee, stated, "We shared the view that the people should be the main agents of constitutional amendment."

During his presidential campaign in May, President Lee pledged several constitutional reforms, including a four-year presidential term with the possibility of one consecutive re-election, a system in which the National Assembly recommends the Prime Minister, a runoff system for presidential elections, and transferring the Board of Audit and Inspection to the National Assembly. He also announced plans to pass the constitutional amendment through a national referendum during the 2026 local elections, or at the latest, during the 2028 general elections. Spokesperson Cho said, "Since the pledges have already been detailed, there is little need to further refine the tasks. The main concern is what timing and procedures will be used."

The committee is expected to first discuss preliminary tasks necessary for constitutional reform, such as revising the National Referendum Act. The main issue is cooperation from the opposition party. When President Lee proposed the amendment, he made it clear that "the constitutional amendment would not apply to the president in office at the time, as stipulated in the supplementary provisions of the Constitution." However, the People Power Party argued that the four-year consecutive term system is "a dangerous attempt that reveals ambitions for prolonged rule."

Meanwhile, a constitutional amendment requires the approval of at least two-thirds of the total members of the National Assembly (200 seats), making it virtually impossible without cooperation from the opposition party.