Lee Jae-myung vows to curb executive powers

President-elect Lee Jae-myung raises his arms to greet supporters after wrapping up his final campaign rally at Yeouido Park in Seoul, Monday, a day before the presidential election. Yonhap

In the wake of the tumultuous Dec. 3 martial law crisis, liberal Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung vowed to implement sweeping constitutional reforms aimed at decentralizing executive authority and bolstering legislative oversight if elected, a direct response to escalating public demands for significant political change.

With his election victory, Lee assumed the presidency following Tuesday’s vote, ascending to power in the wake of former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment and removal from office. This extraordinary election was held in the midst of fervent calls for political reforms, as the controversial imposition of martial law and the ensuing power vacuum laid bare critical weaknesses within Korea's presidential system.

Lee has proposed shifting to a four-year presidential term with the possibility of reelection, rejecting calls to shorten the current five-year mandate. His reform agenda centers on curbing presidential powers and bolstering checks and balances through greater parliamentary oversight. Under his plan, the National Assembly would recommend the prime minister, and the president’s veto power — particularly in cases involving the president or their family — would be limited.

Among the key reforms Lee has championed is the relocation of the Board of Audit and Inspection from the president's direct control to the National Assembly, a move designed to enhance its independence. He also seeks to strip the president of the sole authority to declare martial law and advocates for the adoption of a runoff system in presidential elections. Lee has consistently framed these proposed changes as essential steps to curb the concentration of power within the executive branch and to foster greater governmental accountability.

Lee has also pledged to recognize Korea’s major pro-democracy movements in the Constitution, including the May 18 Gwangju Uprising, the June 10 Democracy Movement and the Candlelight Revolution. He argued this would reaffirm Korea’s democratic identity and strengthen its commitment to civil liberties.

His institutional reform proposals include separating investigative and prosecutorial powers, requiring parliamentary approval for key appointments such as the prosecutor general and police chief and creating a Ministry of Climate and Energy. He has also called for splitting the Ministry of Economy and Finance into separate bodies for budgeting and economic policy.

Lee’s regional development plan proposes restructuring Korea’s growth model by dividing the country into five major development zones and three special autonomous provinces. The initiative aims to promote balanced regional growth, enhance local decision-making and address long-standing inequalities between the capital and other regions. Lee has also pledged to complete the Assembly’s Sejong office and a presidential office in Sejong within his term.

Lim Dong-wook, head of the Korean Presidential Studies Institute, said Lee’s proposals represent a significant departure from Korea’s traditional strong-presidency model. “Lee’s approach reflects a commitment to decentralizing power and enhancing democratic accountability,” Lim said. “By embedding checks and safeguards in the Constitution, the proposals could help prevent future authoritarian overreach.”

Eom Kyung-young, head of the Zeitgeist Institute, noted that Lee’s proposals aim to address long-standing flaws in Korea’s political system. “If implemented, these reforms could lead to a more balanced governance structure,” he said.

While Lee’s proposals have backing from his party, critics in the National Assembly caution that expanding legislative powers could lead to gridlock and undermine executive leadership. Lee, however, insists that bold reforms are essential to prevent a recurrence of the previous administration’s unchecked authority.

Amending the Constitution will require a two-thirds majority in the Assembly and a national referendum. Lee has indicated he will prioritize this agenda early in his term, framing it as a key step toward restoring public trust in Korea’s democracy after recent political turmoil.