53% Prefer 4-Year Presidential Term
- SEOUL, South Korea – A recent poll indicates that a majority of South Koreans favor a four-year presidential term over the current five-year, single-term system.
- The proposed four-year system aims to retain the presidential structure while addressing concerns about potential abuses of power adn end-of-term "lame duck" periods.
- According to the Gallup Korea poll, conducted on April 10-11, 2025, 53% of respondents preferred the four-year presidential term.
Public Favors Four-Year Presidential Term in South Korea, Poll Shows
Table of Contents
- Public Favors Four-Year Presidential Term in South Korea, Poll Shows
- Support for a Four-Year Term
- Broad Cross-Party Appeal
- constitutional Debate Intensifies
- Survey Methodology
- South Korean Presidential Term: Public opinion and Constitutional Reform – Q&A
- What is the main topic of the Gallup Korea poll?
- What do South koreans think about a four-year presidential term?
- Who conducted the survey and when was it carried out?
- What other presidential term options where considered in the poll?
- What are the aims of the proposed four-year system?
- Is there cross-party support for the four-year term?
- How does support for the four-year term break down by political party?
- What is the current stance on constitutional reform?
- Are there any obstacles to constitutional reform?
- What was the survey methodology?
- What is the “lame duck” period?
SEOUL, South Korea – A recent poll indicates that a majority of South Koreans favor a four-year presidential term over the current five-year, single-term system. The survey, conducted by Gallup Korea, suggests meaningful public interest in reforming the executive branch.

Support for a Four-Year Term
The proposed four-year system aims to retain the presidential structure while addressing concerns about potential abuses of power adn end-of-term “lame duck” periods. It envisions a system where the president’s performance is evaluated mid-term, after two years in office.
According to the Gallup Korea poll, conducted on April 10-11, 2025, 53% of respondents preferred the four-year presidential term. Alternative systems received considerably less support, with 13% favoring a parliamentary system and 12% a decentralized presidential model where power is shared between the president and prime minister. The remaining respondents were either undecided (15%) or preferred other options (6%).
Broad Cross-Party Appeal
Support for the four-year term appears to transcend party lines and political affiliations. The poll revealed that 59% of supporters of the Democratic Party favored the change, as did 54% of People Power Party adherents. Notably, smaller parties showed even stronger support, with 84% of the Rebuilding Korea Party and 63% of the Reformed Party backing the proposal. Regional and age demographics also showed strong support for the four-year term.
constitutional Debate Intensifies
The debate over constitutional reform is expected to gain momentum in the lead-up to the upcoming presidential election. woo Won-sik, speaker of the National Assembly, has formally suggested holding discussions on constitutional amendments concurrently with the election.
However, the Democratic Party has prioritized addressing immediate civil service issues over comprehensive constitutional reform. Analysts suggest that reaching a political consensus on significant changes to the power structure before the election may prove challenging.
Woo stated on April 9 that holding a constitutional amendment vote alongside the presidential election would be “virtually challenging” given the current political climate.
Survey Methodology
The Gallup Korea poll was conducted between April 10-11, 2025, using a random sample of mobile phone virtual numbers provided by three telecommunications companies. The survey targeted 1,020 South Korean men and women aged 18 and over, using telephone interviews (CATI). The margin of error is ±3.1 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. Weighting was applied based on gender, age, and region, using March 2025 census data. the contact rate was 37.3%, and the response rate was 13.3%.the survey was commissioned by World ilbo.
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South Korean Presidential Term: Public opinion and Constitutional Reform – Q&A
This Q&A explores the recent developments regarding the South Korean presidential term, based on a poll conducted by Gallup Korea. We’ll cover public opinion, proposed changes, and the political landscape surrounding the constitutional debate.
What is the main topic of the Gallup Korea poll?
The main topic is public opinion on the length of the South Korean presidential term. specifically, it gauges support for a four-year presidential term versus the current five-year, single-term system.
What do South koreans think about a four-year presidential term?
A majority of South Koreans, according to the poll, favor a four-year presidential term. The survey, conducted by Gallup Korea, indicated that 53% of respondents prefer the four-year term.
Who conducted the survey and when was it carried out?
The survey was conducted by Gallup Korea on April 10-11,2025.
What other presidential term options where considered in the poll?
The poll also explored support for alternative systems. 13% favored a parliamentary system, and 12% preferred a decentralized presidential model. The remaining respondents were either undecided (15%) or preferred other options (6%).
What are the aims of the proposed four-year system?
The four-year system aims to retain the presidential structure while addressing concerns about potential abuses of power and “lame duck” periods at the end of a term. It also envisions a system where the president’s performance is evaluated mid-term,after two years in office.
Is there cross-party support for the four-year term?
yes,support for the four-year term appears to transcend party lines.
How does support for the four-year term break down by political party?
Here’s a summary of the support levels for the four-year presidential term based on the Gallup Korea poll:
| Political Party | Support for Four-Year Term |
|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 59% |
| People Power Party | 54% |
| Rebuilding Korea Party | 84% |
| Reformed Party | 63% |
What is the current stance on constitutional reform?
The debate over constitutional reform is expected to gain momentum,particularly as the presidential election nears. Woo Won-sik, speaker of the National Assembly, has suggested holding discussions on constitutional amendments concurrently with the election.
Are there any obstacles to constitutional reform?
Yes, the Democratic Party has prioritized addressing immediate civil service issues over comprehensive constitutional reform. Analysts suggest that reaching a political consensus on meaningful changes to the power structure before the election may be challenging.
What was the survey methodology?
The Gallup Korea poll was conducted using telephone interviews (CATI) with a random sample of 1,020 south Korean adults aged 18 and over. The margin of error is ±3.1 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. The survey used weighting based on gender, age, and region, utilizing March 2025 census data. The contact rate was 37.3%, and the response rate was 13.3%. The survey was commissioned by World ilbo.
What is the “lame duck” period?
The ”lame duck” period refers to the final months of a president’s term. During this time,their power and influence often diminish as they approach the end of their time in office. The proposed four-year term aims to address potential abuses of power during this period.
