People Power Party Heading to Gwangju, Sparks Debate on Constitutional Amendment Including 'May 18 Spirit'

"National Consensus Is Already Reached"
Special Committee Likely to Be Formed for Further Discussions

Ruling party lawmakers are arriving at Gwangju Songjeong Station by KTX special train on the morning of the 18th to attend the 42nd anniversary ceremony of the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] As President Yoon Seok-yeol, all ruling party lawmakers, the cabinet, and ministers attended the 42nd anniversary ceremony of the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement on the 18th, discussions to enshrine the spirit of May 18 in the constitution are expected to proceed in earnest in the National Assembly as well.

The People Power Party stated that since constitutional amendment requires a national referendum, an immediate one-point amendment is difficult, but it is expected that the floor leadership will put their heads together starting with the formation of a special committee for this purpose.

Seong Il-jong, the chairman of the People Power Party's Policy Committee, said in a radio interview that "There is already national consensus on including the spirit of May 18 in the constitutional preamble," adding, "Currently, it is early in the administration, so bringing up constitutional amendment is somewhat untimely. It may naturally be two or three years later or so, but when the time comes to bring it up, it will naturally be included in the constitutional preamble."

Positive sentiment toward constitutional amendment is also evident within the party. Kim Ki-hyun, a People Power Party lawmaker, said on the radio that "It is time to gather the party's opinions; I think it is time to revise the constitution. Compared to when it was created, the constitution was made in 1987 and is now almost 40 years old," adding, "Reforms of the power structure, such as the cabinet responsibility system, should naturally be discussed, and other important values like IT, informatization, environment, and carbon neutrality have become very significant. Shouldn't we include these in more detail and strengthen the fundamental rights in the constitution?"