South Korea’s presidential system, currently characterized by a single five-year term, stands out globally. This distinct structure is the result of a tumultuous political history, marked by various constitutional amendments and significant public movements. Following the recent presidential election on June 3, 2025, where Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung was elected as the 21st president, the nation continues its unique path of a five-year, single-term presidency, unlike systems such as the four-year renewable term found in the United States. First Republic: Syngman Rhee and the Fight for Direct Election South Korea’s presidential history began with the First Republic under President Syngman Rhee. After liberation from Japanese rule in 1945, the Republic of Korea was established in 1948 with a presidential system and a unicameral legislature. The initial constitution stipulated an indirect presidential election by the National Assembly for a four-year term, allowing one re-election. Rhee was initially elected this way. However, after his party’s poor performance in the 1950 parliamentary elections, Rhee, fearing he wouldn’t secure re-election through the National Assembly, pushed for a direct popular vote for the presidency. This led to the first direct presidential election in 1952, where he was re-elected. In 1954, “The rounding off to the nearest integer(Four-Five-In) Amendment” controversially removed the term limit for the first president, allowing Rhee to serve a third term. Despite winning the 1960 election, widespread fraud and violence led to the April 19th Revolution and Rhee’s eventual resignation, ending the First Republic. Second Republic: A Brief Experiment with a Parliamentary System The interim government following Rhee’s resignation sought to address the concentration of power that led to his authoritarian rule. The Second Republic, established by a constitutional amendment on June 15, 1960, adopted a parliamentary system with a bicameral legislature (House of Representatives and House of Councillors). The president, elected by the National Assembly, held ceremonial powers, while the Prime Minister served as the head of government. Yun Posun became the largely symbolic 4th President, with Chang Myon as Prime Minister. This period was short-lived, lasting only 11 months, and remains South Korea’s only parliamentary system in its constitutional history. Third Republic and Yushin System: Park Chung-hee’s Extended Rule The Third Republic emerged after the May 16th military coup in 1961. The ruling National Reconstruction Supreme Council reinstated a presidential system with a four-year term and re-election allowed, approved by a national referendum in 1962. Park Chung-hee was elected president in 1963. After his re-election in 1967, Park sought to extend his rule. In 1969, a three-term constitutional amendment was passed via national referendum, allowing him to run for a third consecutive term. He won the 1971 election. However, in 1972, Park enacted the controversial “Yushin Constitution”, marking the beginning of the Fourth Republic. This system drastically expanded presidential powers, establishing a six-year term with no re-election limits, control over the National Conference for Unification for presidential elections, and emergency decree powers. Park was elected the 8th and 9th president through this system. The Yushin system ended with Park’s assassination in October 1979. Fifth Republic: Chun Doo-hwan’s Authoritarian Rule Following Park’s assassination, Choi Kyu-hah was elected as the 10th president in December 1979. However, a military coup on December 12th, 1979, led by Chun Doo-hwan (전두환) and the New Military Group, effectively seized power. Chun was elected the 11th president through the National Conference for Unification in August 1980. The Fifth Republic saw the adoption of a new constitution in October 1980, which established a seven-year single presidential term and an indirect election system through the Presidential Electoral College. Chun Doo-hwan was subsequently elected the 12th president in February 1981 under this new framework. Sixth Republic: Birth of the 5-Year Single Term Public resistance against Chun’s authoritarian rule intensified after the Park Jong-chol torture death incident in 1987. The “April 13th Constitutional Protection Measure” (4.13 호헌조치), which aimed to maintain the existing constitution, further fueled demands for a direct presidential election. This led to the widespread June Democratic Struggle. In response to the escalating protests, then-presidential candidate Roh Tae-woo of the Democratic Justice Party announced the “June 29th Declaration”, accepting the demand for a direct presidential election. This pivotal moment paved the way for the 9th constitutional amendment on October 27, 1987, which established the key features of the Sixth Republic: direct presidential elections, a five-year single term, and the revival of parliamentary inspection rights. Roh Tae-woo was subsequently elected the 13th president in December 1987, ushering in the current presidential system. South Korea’s Unique Presidential System Today Since its establishment in 1948, South Korea’s presidential system has undergone nine constitutional amendments, alternating between direct and indirect elections. The current five-year single-term presidency, a hallmark of the Sixth Republic since Roh Tae-woo, reflects the nation’s hard-won democratic progress and the sacrifices made by its citizens. This unique system is a testament to South Korea’s journey towards a more democratic and accountable government.