Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party of Korea presidential candidate, and Kim Moon-soo, the People Power Party presidential candidate, announced on the 18th a constitutional amendment proposal to change the five-year single-term system for presidents. Candidate Lee proposed a "four-year re-election system," while Candidate Kim suggested a "four-year term system," showing subtle differences in their position on the direction of the proposal.
Candidate Lee was the first to present a constitutional amendment pledge. He stated in a post on Facebook that morning, "We need to enhance the responsibilities of the president and decentralize authority. By introducing a four-year re-election system, it will become possible to conduct an interim evaluation of the government, thereby strengthening accountability," asserting the case for the four-year re-election system amendment.
He also proposed including provisions to decentralize presidential authority, such as appointing the prime minister through National Assembly recommendations and mandating National Assembly consent for the appointment of the Prosecutor General or the Chairperson of the Korea Communications Commission.
In response, Candidate Kim also announced an amendment proposal in the afternoon, focusing on introducing a four-year term system and abolishing the immunity from prosecution privileges.
Candidate Kim emphasized the need for decentralization of presidential powers, saying, "I will significantly accept specific adjustments to presidential powers and reform the imperial presidential system."
Both sides raised their voices for constitutional amendments, but they starkly diverged on the 'term issue' of the next president, who will be elected in this election.
First, Candidate Lee noted, "The issue of the term for the final responsible person of the nation needs to be carefully considered," adding, "More important than amending the constitution is national stability and restoring livelihoods." He effectively excluded any proposals for term reduction.
It is interpreted that he believes that after a public vote on the constitutional amendment in next year's local elections or the 2028 general elections, the cycle of the 2030 local elections and the next presidential election should be aligned.
In contrast, Candidate Kim explicitly mentioned term reduction. He argued that to align the cycles of general elections and presidential elections, the term of the president elected this time should be shortened to three years. In other words, the next presidential election should be held in 2028.
He then pressured Candidate Lee to officially confirm the term reduction.
Candidate Kim suggested to Candidate Lee, "I propose a constitutional agreement on 'placing power down.'" He pointed out, "Candidate Lee has repeatedly changed his statements regarding the constitutional amendment, so it is necessary to formalize it in writing in front of the public."
He specifically pressed Candidate Lee, saying, "There must be a decision to voluntarily shorten the term of the president elected this time from five years to three years."
Candidate Kim noted, "The 're-election system' means that after serving two consecutive terms, the president can take a break and serve again for another two terms," suggesting that Candidate Lee should clarify whether he is leaving room for long-term rule within the expression of 're-election system.'
Both sides showed differences in the interpretation of the term 're-election.'
Candidate Kim asserted, "The 're-election system' refers to a system where one can take a break after serving two consecutive terms and serve again," stating that Candidate Lee should clarify whether he is considering long-term rule.
In response, Chief of the National Election Response Headquarters, Yoon Ho-jung, met with reporters that afternoon and refuted, "Candidate Lee's re-election system means a system that allows re-challenge after a four-year term once more," adding that the method of taking a break before re-running does not apply.
Chief Spokesperson of the Democratic Party Jo Seung-rae also explained, "The term 'term system' is a broader concept, of which the form that can only be implemented consecutively is the re-election system," emphasizing that allowing re-election is a nature of interim evaluation of the president, and if there is failure in the interim evaluation, the term is terminated.