South Korea operates under a presidential republic system of government. In this system, the president serves as both the head of state and the head of government.
The president exercises executive functions alongside cabinet ministers, led by a prime minister. The presidential term in South Korea lasts for a full five years.
The country's constitutional system limits the term to a single period only. An incumbent president is not allowed to run for reelection in the subsequent presidential vote.
Power Limitation Provisions under the 1987 Constitution
The establishment of the single-term limit stems from a series of political events in South Korea prior to 1987. During that era, several presidents held power for extended periods.
First President Syngman Rhee led the country from 1948 to 1960. Power was subsequently held by Park Chung-hee from 1961 to 1979, and continued under the leadership of Chun Doo-hwan from 1980 to 1988.
The electoral system was temporarily changed to an indirect vote through a representative body under the 1972 Yushin Constitution during Park Chung-hee's tenure. The rule concentrated power in the presidency and eliminated direct voting by the public.
The practice of authoritarian rule persisted when Chun Doo-hwan assumed power in 1980. Public resistance to military leadership eventually culminated in the June Democratic Struggle of 1987.
The movement originated from the death of a university student named Bak Jong-cheol during police interrogation in January 1987. The case sparked widespread public outrage.
The political situation escalated further when President Chun Doo-hwan issued an official announcement on April 13, 1987. In the statement, the government rejected public demands for constitutional reform and direct presidential elections.
The two events triggered a wave of protests across major regions, including Seoul, Busan, Daegu, and Gwangju, throughout June 1987. Street demonstrations during June 1987 forced the government to issue the June 29 Declaration, delivered by Roh Tae-woo.
The declaration produced the 1987 Constitutional Amendment, featuring Article 70, which limited the presidential term to five years without the right to seek reelection.
The provision marked the beginning of the Sixth Republic. Direct presidential elections were subsequently reinstated in December 1987, and the single-term rule officially took effect when Roh Tae-woo served from 1988 to 1993.
Regulations on Conducting Presidential Elections
Following the constitutional amendment, presidential elections in South Korea have been held periodically every five years. The voting process involves eligible citizens nationwide.
The electoral system utilizes a single-round, first-past-the-post mechanism. The candidate who wins the highest number of votes in the official polling is declared the president-elect.
The five-year cycle temporarily shifted due to the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol, who had been in office since May 2022. The case occurred following a brief declaration of martial law by President Yoon Suk-yeol in December 2024, which prompted impeachment by the National Assembly.
The impeachment decision was upheld by the Constitutional Court in April 2025. In accordance with legal provisions, a snap election was organized within 60 days of the presidency becoming vacant.
The snap presidential election was held on June 3, 2025, and won by Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party. Because the election took place during a power vacancy, Lee Jae-myung officially assumed office as president on June 4, 2025, without going through a presidential transition committee phase.
To date, legal provisions continue to prohibit Lee Jae-myung and future presidents from registering as candidates after completing their five-year term.
