Constitutional Revision

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The presidential office has announced the third and final part of the president's constitutional revision bill, outlining all of the remaining provisions. The amendment bill would adopt a four-year, two-term presidency and lower the voting age to 18 years old.

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The most prominent part of the president's Constitutional revision bill is shortening the current 5-year presidential term by a year, while allowing two consecutive four-year terms. Also, a supplementary provision specified the terms of local election winners be shortened by three months, allowing the next presidential and local elections to be held at the same time. Newly established is a run-off presidential election system, which allows a second voting if no candidate won majority in the first round. As a way to disperse presidential authority, the status as head of state will be deleted and special pardons must be deliberated by a pardoning committee. In addition, the Bureau of Audit and Inspection, which used to be overseen by the president, will become an independent body and the nation's leader will no longer have the power to appoint the chief justice of the Constitutional Court. In contrast, parliamentary authority is strengthened. When the government tables a motion, it must be agreed by more than ten lawmakers, also the National Assembly has a stronger say in budget reviews. The voting age is lowered to 18 and the principle of election proportionality is stipulated in the Constitution. The presidential office will disclose the entire provisions of the amendment bill, which is sent to the Ministry of Government Legislation, and table the motion at the National Assembly on March 26th.