[Political Spotlight] Where Is the Constitutional Amendment Proposal from Woo Won-sik Headed?… People Power 'Push' vs Democratic 'Ignore'

Lee Jaemyung Effectively Opposes Constitutional Amendment
People Power Party Highlights Issue as Presidential Agenda... Steps Up Offensive
Shift in Centrist Voters’ Preferences on Amendment Draws Attention

The constitutional amendment proposal for a ‘presidential power-dispersal system’ put forward by National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-sik has emerged as a variable in the upcoming presidential election. The People Power Party is highlighting constitutional amendment as a key agenda to shake up the ‘Lee Jae-myung solo’ system. The Democratic Party leadership is drawing a line on the amendment debate and is cautious about turning it into an issue. In the presidential election phase, the shift of centrist voters’ preferences regarding the amendment and any change in the position of Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung are expected to be key points to watch.

Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung is seen briefly lost in thought while listening to the remarks of the Supreme Council members at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 7th. Photo by Yonhap News

On the morning of the 8th, Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, said at a floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly, "On the 6th, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-sik proposed a referendum for constitutional amendment, and the People Power Party immediately expressed its willingness to participate and is preparing a constitutional amendment plan through the party’s special committee."

Kwon criticized, "Lee Jae-myung reportedly expressed his intention to amend the constitution before an early presidential election during a recent phone call with Jeong Dae-cheol, president of the Constitutional Association. However, when the constitutional amendment discussion began in earnest, he turned a blind eye and refused to engage in the debate."

On the other hand, Park Chan-dae, floor leader of the Democratic Party, raised his voice at the floor strategy meeting that morning without mentioning the constitutional amendment, saying, "The People Power Party has brutally trampled on the constitutional order and democracy of the Republic of Korea." This is interpreted as a strategy to ignore the issue as much as possible since the amendment would not be advantageous in the presidential election phase.

Lee Jae-myung had already expressed opposition to the amendment in effect at the previous day’s Supreme Council meeting, saying, "Ultimately, while constitutional amendment is important, the restoration of the destroyed democracy is far more important."

As both sides take opposing positions on the constitutional amendment, the discussion on a referendum timed with the presidential election date proposed by Speaker Woo on the 6th has not progressed at all. The scheduled meeting that afternoon between the floor leaders of the People Power Party and the Democratic Party, chaired by Speaker Woo, was also canceled. The People Power Party stated, "It was completely canceled due to the Democratic Party’s unilateral notice of absence." Speaker Woo was expected to discuss the schedule for the April extraordinary session, constitutional amendment, and supplementary budget formulation at the meeting.

Trailing in approval ratings, the People Power Party is expected to continue its offensive by pushing the narrative that ‘only Lee Jae-myung opposes the constitutional amendment.’ The strategy is to create a surrounding structure against Lee, as most of the presidential hopefuls are positive about the amendment. Given that public opinion for dispersing presidential powers has increased following President Yoon’s emergency martial law incident, there is a possibility that centrist voters’ preferences may shift toward the amendment in the future.

However, since there is no way if Lee continues to oppose it, voices are also emerging that the People Power Party needs a strategy to realize the constitutional amendment. Political commentator Park Sang-byeong analyzed, "If the situation shifts to constitutional amendment, it could become a ‘black hole.’ From the opposition party’s perspective, engaging in the amendment discussion is equivalent to allowing the ruling party to maintain party control and seek an exit strategy."