Lee Jae Myung Rules Out Second Term Bid Amid Constitutional Debate

The president’s refusal to pursue a second term aligns with the current South Korean constitution, which restricts the office to a single five-year tenure. While Lee remains barred from benefiting from any future changes to this rule, he maintains a strong position on systemic reform. He has previously championed a transition to a four-year term system, a model he argues should be coupled with a significant shift of presidential powers to the national parliament.

Beyond term limits, Lee is pushing for a decentralization of governance. He proposed transforming the city of Sejong into an economic capital to balance the country’s development, effectively splitting national leadership responsibilities with Seoul. By decoupling these functions, the administration aims to reshape the long-standing concentration of authority in the capital.