The impeachment motion against South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has reignited calls for a constitutional amendment, with growing support among political circles advocating for an overhaul of the country’s highly centralized, so-called “imperial” presidential system.
A consensus has emerged that Yoon’s martial law declaration on Dec. 3 exposed the structural flaws of a governance model that grants excessive power to the president. While similar calls for constitutional amendment surfaced during past impeachments and investigations involving former and incumbent presidents, the push this time is notably stronger.
The ruling People Power Party has taken a proactive stance on constitutional amendment. Since the National Assembly passed an impeachment motion against President Yoon on Dec. 14, party lawmakers, heads of local governments, and elder statesmen have voiced the need for systemic change to “prevent similar tragedies from happening again.” During a party meeting ahead of the impeachment vote, many claimed that “it’s time to impeach the presidential system.”
The Reform Party has also supported constitutional amendments to dismantle the current “imperial” presidential system. The party has proposed holding the next presidential election along with a national referendum on constitutional amendment. “An early constitutional amendment is more important than an early presidential election,” Jun Byung-hun, leader of the New Future Democratic Party, said on Dec. 18. “Constitutional amendment should come before the election.”
The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, however, is not invested in the idea. The party stressed prioritizing impeaching President Yoon rather than engaging in constitutional amendment discussions. People Power Party floor leader Kweon Seong-dong mentioned that “we need to examine whether the presidential system aligns with our reality” during a recent meeting with Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung. Lee reportedly responded negatively to this comment. Lee, whose prospects of assuming office have risen amid the martial law crisis, is unlikely to support reforms that would weaken presidential powers.
But even within the Democratic Party and broader opposition, many acknowledge the limits of the so-called “1987 system.” The current constitution, established through a constitutional amendment in 1987, forms the basis of Korea’s political structure, often referred to as the 1987 system. “The system is outdated and should be reformed,” said a Democratic Party lawmaker.
Over the years, the National Assembly has convened multiple committees on constitutional amendments, presenting proposals such as a four-year presidential term, a parliamentary cabinet system, and a semi-presidential system. Lee also pledged to introduce a decentralized presidential system during his 2022 presidential campaign.
