"Now We Must Focus on Ending the Civil War"… Lee Jae-myung Proposes Phase 2 Constitutional Amendment Plan (Comprehensive)

Including the May 18 Gwangju Spirit and Strengthening Martial Law Requirements: Constitutional Amendment First
Presidential Candidates to Present Amendment Plans During the Election, Followed by Further Amendments
"Constitutional Amendment Is Necessary, but Preventing the Destruction of Democracy Comes First"

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, effectively rejected Woo Won-shik, Speaker of the National Assembly's proposal to hold the presidential election and constitutional amendment referendum simultaneously on the 7th. While Lee acknowledged that "constitutional amendment is necessary," he emphasized that "right now, ending the internal conflict must come first." However, he expressed willingness to accept a constitutional amendment that strengthens martial law requirements, provided that the National Referendum Act is revised.

At the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly that day, Lee stated, "While advancing democracy is important, at this moment, preventing the destruction of democracy is much more urgent and important." He explained that constitutional amendment is a proper way to develop democracy, but currently, the priority is to prevent regression.

He said, "Through a military coup, the president, the highest authority of state power, pointed guns at the people, completely destroyed the constitutional order, and threatened democracy, which the people are barely restoring with their power," adding, "I hope we focus on ending the internal conflict." He also criticized the People Power Party's claim to prepare a constitutional amendment before the presidential election. He said, "I hope the People Power Party does not think of passing this off lightly with a constitutional amendment."

Regarding the constitutional amendment, Lee pointed out practical and institutional reasons why it is difficult to hold it simultaneously with the presidential election. He introduced the problem, saying, "The National Referendum Act does not allow early voting, so if a constitutional amendment is held simultaneously, it can only be done on the main voting day, and those who vote early cannot participate." He also said, "If the revision of the National Referendum Act is not processed this week, it will be practically difficult to hold the presidential election and constitutional amendment simultaneously within 60 days," adding, "It might be possible if we do our best, but we must not blur the issue or cover up the internal conflict with a constitutional amendment attempt as some political forces expect." This means he will not accept a situation where constitutional amendment discussions inadvertently whitewash President Yoon Suk-yeol's unconstitutional emergency martial law.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 7th. Photo by Yonhap News.

However, he also expressed willingness to accept a constitutional amendment from the perspective of ending the internal conflict. Lee explained, "Regarding the inclusion of the May 18 Gwangju Spirit in the preamble of the constitution or strengthening martial law requirements to prevent arbitrary personal military coups, the People Power Party will not oppose it," adding, "If the National Referendum Act is revised, this constitutional amendment can be processed immediately." He further added, "It can be done as an important task for ending and overcoming the internal conflict." Previously, former Governor Kim Kyung-soo of Gyeongnam and others had proposed such a two-stage constitutional amendment plan.

However, for more in-depth constitutional amendment content related to power structure reform, Lee suggested that candidates should make promises about the amendment during the presidential election period and proceed afterward. Lee said, "Issues such as the four-year single-term presidency, transferring the Board of Audit and Inspection to the National Assembly, and introducing a runoff voting system are highly debatable and could intensify disputes and cause national division, so complex issues should be promised by presidential candidates to the people and then implemented as quickly as possible after the election according to their pledges."