Calls for constitutional reform are gaining momentum in South Korea after President Yoon Suk-yeol raised the issue during the final hearing of his impeachment trial. On Feb. 26, lawmakers from both the ruling and opposition parties voiced support for amending the country’s 1987 Constitution, arguing that now is the time to move beyond the current political framework.
Members of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) welcomed Yoon’s suggestion, saying constitutional amendments would usher in a new era. Meanwhile, some lawmakers in the opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), particularly those outside the faction loyal to party leader Lee Jae-myung, urged him to take an active role in the discussion.
Against this backdrop, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik met with senior political figures on Feb. 26, pledging to mediate discussions between the ruling and opposition parties to advance the amendment process. Chung Dae-chul, chairman of The Parliamentarian’s Society—a group of former lawmakers—announced that a constitutional reform forum would be held at Seoul National University on March 4, followed by a nationwide petition campaign the next day.
The presidential office issued a statement on Feb. 26, expressing hope that Yoon’s proposal would pave the way for a new political era, free from past constraints. A senior official noted that the last constitutional amendment in 1987 was completed within four months of its initial declaration, adding that swift progress would be possible if both parties approached the reform with open minds.
During his closing arguments at the impeachment trial on Feb. 25, Yoon said that if reinstated, he would dedicate the latter half of his term to constitutional and political reform.
The PPP has thrown its weight behind the proposal. Interim leader Kwon Young-se said Yoon’s remarks reflected his belief that constitutional reform could fix the country’s political system. “The president is right in pointing out that our political structure remains stuck in the ‘1987 system’ and fails to reflect societal changes,” Kwon said.
On Feb. 27, the PPP plans to launch a special committee on constitutional reform, chaired by National Assembly Vice Speaker Joo Ho-young.
Senior political figures have also joined the conversation. On Feb. 26, Chung Dae-chul and other veteran lawmakers met with Speaker Woo to discuss the need for constitutional revision, urging him to establish a parliamentary committee dedicated to the issue. Chung later said Woo responded positively, expressing willingness to support the effort.
Several prominent figures seen as potential presidential candidates have emphasized the need for constitutional reform. PPP lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo wrote on Facebook that the public strongly supports amendments to curb presidential power and legislative authority.
Han Dong-hoon, former PPP chairman, echoed this sentiment in a newly published book, arguing that South Korea’s recent experience with emergency martial law underscored the need to reform the presidential system.
Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo said on Feb. 25 that he hoped Yoon’s impeachment would be dismissed so the country could swiftly move forward with constitutional and political reform. Meanwhile, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, speaking at a recent constitutional forum, highlighted decentralization as the key to overcoming the limitations of the 1987 system.
For any constitutional amendment to pass, at least two-thirds of the 300-member National Assembly (200 lawmakers) must approve it. Given the DPK’s majority, party leader Lee Jae-myung’s stance will be crucial to the reform’s progress.
Lee previously pledged to introduce a decentralized presidential system during his 2022 campaign but has since remained hesitant to engage in discussions on constitutional reform.
Gyeonggi Gov. Kim Dong-yeon, in a Feb. 25 interview with JTBC, recalled that he and Lee had signed a pledge on constitutional reform during the 2022 election. “I plan to bring this up in my meeting with Lee on Feb. 28,” Kim said.
Former South Gyeongsang Gov. Kim Kyung-soo also called on Lee to take the lead in addressing public concerns by actively pushing for constitutional reform.
