Lee Junseok: "Will Positively Consider Including the Spirit of May 18 in the Constitution if Amendment Is Pursued"

Lee Junseok, the Reform New Party's presidential candidate, stated on May 18 that he would "positively consider" including the spirit of the May 18 Democratic Movement in the Constitution if an actual constitutional amendment is pursued.

Speaking to reporters at the May 18 National Cemetery in Buk-gu, Gwangju on the same day, Lee said, "I have consistently expressed a positive stance. I believe that only when the process of constitutional amendment begins can discussions on this matter take place."

He continued, "I understand there are two positions regarding its inclusion in the Constitution. One is that the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Movement must be explicitly stated in the preamble of the Constitution," and added, "On the other hand, there are arguments that if we do so, we would have to enumerate all democratic processes in a similar way, and some question whether that is appropriate."

Lee Jae Myung and Lee Jun Seok Candidates (Gwangju=Yonhap News) Photo by Hong Hae In = Lee Jae Myung, presidential candidate of the Democratic Party, and Lee Jun Seok, presidential candidate of the Reform New Party, greet each other at the 45th anniversary ceremony of the May 18 Democratic Movement held at the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery in Bukgu, Gwangju Metropolitan City on May 18, 2025. hihong@yna.co.kr (End)

Lee also commented, "Many people were shocked that such an event occurred for the first time in 45 years due to the imposition of martial law," and said, "I hope the state of emergency ends quickly and that everything returns to its rightful place through the normal operation of the Republic of Korea."

Regarding his determination for the presidential candidate TV debate scheduled for the evening, Lee said, "Lee Jae Myung, the Democratic Party's presidential candidate, holds a dangerous economic perspective, while Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, has an extremely right-leaning economic view," and added, "I hope the clear contrast between these positions will provide the public with a good basis for making their choice."