South Korean President Lee Jae Myung placed constitutional reform at the top of his administration’s policy agenda during his first Cabinet meeting in Sejong, signaling a historic shift in the nation’s presidential system. The plan would allow presidents to serve two consecutive four-year terms, replacing the current single five-year limit in place since 1987.
While the amendment blueprint does not clarify whether Lee himself would benefit, the proposal has already stirred debate. The opposition People Power Party argues the reform could extend liberal rule, even though Article 128 of the Constitution currently bars the incumbent from benefiting. The amendment would also introduce a two-round presidential election system, reduce presidential veto power, and strengthen the National Assembly’s role in appointments.
The reform process requires two-thirds approval in the National Assembly and more than 50 percent voter support in a referendum. The earliest possible vote could coincide with the 2026 local elections. Lee framed the reforms as part of a broader vision for balanced development, stressing that sustainable growth depends on reducing overconcentration in the Seoul metropolitan area and empowering regional centers, including the designation of Sejong as the official administrative capital.
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