Democratic Party "Presidential 4-Year Two-Term System... Will Push for Constitutional Amendment Within 1 Year"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Ki-min Lee, Hyun-joo Lee] Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, announced on the 24th a proposal for national unity political reform that guarantees a multi-party system and promotes a constitutional amendment within one year to introduce a 4-year renewable presidential term and a runoff voting system.

The Democratic Party, advocating for a unified government, expressed a strong willingness to embrace candidates such as Ahn Cheol-soo of the People’s Party and Sim Sang-jung of the Justice Party, with only 13 days left until the presidential election.

At a press conference held at the Yeouido party headquarters, Leader Song said, "We must start a virtuous cycle of ‘national unity politics’ where the ruling party takes responsibility, the opposition cooperates, and minority parties have their voices reflected, enabling cooperation between the president and the National Assembly." He added, "Although it is late, we must do it now. If we fail to change this time, there will be no future for the Republic of Korea amid this period of drastic transition."

Leader Song specified the timing of the constitutional amendment as within one year after the presidential election. He stated, "The 1987 revised constitution has reached the end of its lifespan," and explained, "We will introduce a 4-year renewable presidential term and a runoff voting system centered on strengthening fundamental rights, decentralization, and democratization of the power structure for mid- to long-term and nationally unified governance."

Leader Song also announced plans to implement electoral reforms within six months, including the introduction of a mixed-member proportional representation system linked to the parliamentary elections and regional proportional representation, as well as a multi-member district system with three or more members for local elections. To this end, he added, "We will establish a Special Committee for Political Reform for National Unity." Furthermore, to realize the ‘National Unity Government’ pledged by Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung, he announced the introduction of a ‘Prime Minister Recommendation System by the National Assembly.’

Candidate Lee emphasized in a radio interview on the same day, "All political forces genuinely aiming for national development and improving the lives of the people should cooperate within feasible limits. Even if competition continues, let us find a path for cooperation."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.