{
  "id": 6544402,
  "title": "South Korea’s leader rules out term extension",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/south-koreas-leader-rules-out-term-extension",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-10T04:49:43.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/world/2026/09/10/south-korea-s-leader-rules-out-term-extension"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has firmly ruled out the possibility of extending his one-term presidency, despite initial suggestions from himself and his allies, according to a spokesman for the president. Critics have pointed out that a second term would prolong ongoing criminal trials against him, including bribery charges related to alleged illicit transfers of US$8 million to North Korea. The current five-year presidential term was instituted in 1987 during South Korea's transition from authoritarian rule to prevent the undue concentration of presidential power. In August, Lee had expressed support for a four-year term with multiple re-elections and proposed shifting some presidential powers to the parliament. However, National Assembly Speaker Cho Jeong-sik noted that voters should decide on the matter through a revised constitution. Speaking during a state visit to France, Lee reiterated that his term is constitutionally limited to one term, and his decision to schedule numerous overseas visits stemmed from the fact that his term would soon end. Seong Ghi-hong, a senior presidential secretary, interpreted Lee's recent remarks as completely dismissing the idea of seeking re-election through a constitutional amendment. Opposition parties, including the People Power Party, have accused Lee and his associates of discussing an amendment to permit him to remain in office. Proposed amendments allowing for multiple terms have been floated since the 1987 constitutional revision but have consistently failed due to political opposition. Lee's assertion comes amid a decline in his approval rating, which reached its lowest point of 40% as reported by Gallup Korea.",
  "summary": "South Korea adopted its current single five-year presidential term in 1987 as the country transitioned from decades of authoritarian rule.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 7,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "South Korea’s leader rules out term extension",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/south-koreas-leader-rules-out-term-extension-6544773",
        "published": "2026-09-10T04:49:43.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Times",
        "title": "Pakistan sends rare greeting to North Korea",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/pakistan-sends-rare-greeting-to-north-korea",
        "published": "2026-09-10T04:52:22.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "South Korea’s Lee rules out second term amid push to change one-term presidency",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/south-koreas-lee-rules-out-second-term-amid-push-to-change-one-term",
        "published": "2026-09-10T05:12:59.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "North Korea leader salutes 'overseas' troops",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/north-korea-leader-salutes-overseas-troops",
        "published": "2026-09-10T05:23:16.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Korea, EU seek stronger supply chain ties as industry rules evolve",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/korea-eu-seek-stronger-supply-chain-ties-as-industry-rules-evolve",
        "published": "2026-09-10T06:27:03.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "South Korea leader rules out term extension",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/south-korea-leader-rules-out-term-extension-6561467",
        "published": "2026-09-10T07:36:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}