The call to change the current '5-year single term system' of the presidency has gained momentum. The People Power Party plans to activate a party-level constitutional amendment committee and officially begin public discussions. Potential presidential candidates preparing for an early election are also seen contemplating their strategies.
Former emergency response committee chairman Kim Jong-in, a respected figure in politics, emphasized on the 6th at a constitutional amendment forum hosted by People Power Party lawmaker Seong Il-jong in the National Assembly that "a constitutional amendment is essential to change politics within the current system," and that all sectors, including the public, media, and politics, must exert pressure to ensure that any future presidential candidate commits to a constitutional amendment.
Jeong Dae-cheol, chairman of the Constitutional Society, stated, "Now is the time for 'prior constitutional amendment, then presidential election,'" and suggested that if discussions focus solely on the power structure in a short time, a constitutional amendment could be achieved before the conclusion of the presidential impeachment trial. He added that even if it is delayed, it could be done together with the presidential election and a national referendum, advocating for a 'one-point amendment' to address the restructuring of power.
The ruling party is the most actively advocating for the constitutional amendment. It has decided to first form a special committee for constitutional amendment at the party level. After organizing proposals presented by groups emphasizing constitutional amendment, such as the Constitutional Society and academia, it plans to present its own amendment proposal. Subsequently, it is expected to urge opposition parties, including the Democratic Party, to participate in the amendment process.
Political analysts interpret that the ruling party calculates that by attributing the causes of the state of emergency and presidential impeachment to the outdated constitutional political system, it can somewhat dilute the responsibility discourse surrounding the impeachment. This strategy aims to break the two-month-long impeachment stalemate and pressure the reluctant opposition parties regarding constitutional amendment.
Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, remarked at the forum, "If we think about how many of the 8 presidents since the 1987 system have been successful, it’s hard to answer quickly," indicating that this reflects not a problem with individuals but an issue with the system. He emphasized that not only should the president's authoritarian powers be limited, but also the balance of power between the presidency and the parliamentary authority should be addressed during the amendment discussions.
The constitutional amendment card is particularly mentioned as a strategy that could shake up the election landscape if the early presidential election becomes visible. There is a growing likelihood that bringing up 'reducing the presidential term' could secure public sentiment from the centrist voters, who have turned away from politics. A ruling party official noted, "If the ruling party candidate presents a proposal for a term-reducing constitutional amendment, it won’t be easy for the Democratic Party to accept, and centrist voters might not be pleased either."
Ruling party presidential hopefuls are also jumping into the discussion of constitutional amendments. Ahn Cheol-soo, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, proposed at a press conference on the 3rd to hold a national referendum for a constitutional amendment alongside the 2026 local elections. The proposed constitutional amendment includes a four-year, limited-term presidency, detailed procedures for impeaching ministers and public officials, and expansion of basic rights for citizens.
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, affiliated with the People Power Party, will hold a 'decentralization constitutional amendment forum' at the National Assembly Library auditorium on the 12th. Mayor Oh is reportedly planning a two-track amendment proposal to reduce the presidential term to three years and share presidential power with the Prime Minister through a 'dual government system,' while transferring central power to local governments.
In contrast, Lee Jae-myung, who pledged to amend the constitution for a decentralized presidential system during the last election, is lukewarm about the constitutional amendment. Given the ongoing impeachment and martial law issues, entering the discussion of amendments might dilute the public sentiment surrounding impeachment. There also seems to be consideration that there is no immediate need to push for a term-reducing amendment as a leading presidential candidate.
However, unlike Lee, opposition party hopefuls such as former South Gyeongsang Province Governor Kim Kyung-soo and former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum have continually urged the Democratic Party, stating, "Now is the opportune time for constitutional amendment."
Amid the Democratic Party's passive stance toward constitutional amendments, it remains uncertain whether discussions will materialize. A constitutional amendment can be proposed with the support of a majority of the members of the National Assembly and must be approved by at least two-thirds (200 members) of the members present. Even if discussions between the ruling and opposition parties intensify, narrowing down issues such as timing, content, and the scope of the amendment is expected to be challenging. Political commentator Park Sang-byeong forecasted that "if the discussions include whether to only amend the power structure or include citizens' basic rights as well, there is a high possibility that the constitutional amendment will not materialize."