Lee’s constitutional push should lead to decentralization

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Lee’s constitutional push should lead to decentralization

Published: 18 Mar. 2026, 00:00

Audio report: written by reporters, read by AI

President Lee Jae Myung presides over a Cabinet meeting at the Government Complex Sejong on March 17. [YONHAP]

President Lee Jae Myung has brought the long-stalled debate surrounding constitutional revision into a new phase. At a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Lee called a proposal by National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik a “reasonable suggestion” and urged the government to review it officially and formulate a position. He also expressed support for a “phased and gradual” approach to any revisions.

Woo proposed three key amendments on March 10: strengthening parliamentary control over emergency martial law; inserting the spirit of the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising in the Constitution’s preamble; and incorporating the principle of balanced regional development. Lee went further, instructing ministries to review adding the Busan-Masan democratic protests to the preamble. His decision to initiate such discussions carries weight, as constitutional reform has long been described as a historical task but rarely pursued in practice.

This marks the first time since the current Constitution was adopted in 1987 that both the president, who holds the authority to propose amendments, and the head of the legislature, who oversees their passage, have aligned, even on only a partial revision. The emphasis on a gradual approach is also significant, as this may help broaden public consensus for updating the 1987 framework to reflect changing realities.

The existing Constitution was a major achievement of the democratization movement nearly four decades ago, but it has also enabled the concentration of power in what critics describe as an “imperial presidency.” This structure has contributed to recurring political conflicts and even institutional instability, culminating in extreme scenarios — such as controversial emergency measures — at times.

Lee first raised the issue in his Constitution Day speech last year, during which he stated that just as people change clothes to match the season, the Constitution should be revised to fit new circumstances. During his presidential campaign, he emphasized reforms to the power structure, including a four-year presidential term with re-election and a runoff voting system. Constitutional revision was also listed as the top priority among the administration’s 123 national policy tasks.

There is general agreement across political lines that a winner-takes-all system has intensified factional conflict and hindered national unity. Despite this consensus, past attempts at revision have repeatedly stalled. Political leaders often champion reform before gaining power, only to sideline it afterward.

This time, however, the alignment between a president backed by a strong ruling party and the National Assembly speaker could make a difference. The ruling and opposition parties should work together to hold a constitutional referendum alongside the June 3 local elections.

That process should also open the way for deeper deliberation on a more fundamental shift toward a decentralized power structure. While the path will be complex and time-consuming, it could mark a first step toward a more cooperative and integrated political system, grounded in balance, accountability and long-term institutional stability.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.