Constitutional Amendment to Be Completed by National Referendum Within Two Years
7th Republic to Be Launched After Presidential Term Ends in Three Years
The People Power Party and the New Future Democratic Party agreed on May 28, six days before the 21st presidential election, to form a coalition government if they win the election and to pursue constitutional amendment within two years.
Kim Yongtae, interim leader of the People Power Party, and Jun Byunghun, leader of the New Future Democratic Party, held a signing ceremony for the "National Unity Coalition Government Operation and Promotion of the 7th Republic Constitutional Amendment Agreement" at the New Future Democratic Party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on this day.
In the agreement, the two parties stated, "The political civil war between former President Yoon Sukyeol and Lee Jaemyung of the Democratic Party led to the 12·3 Martial Law and the impeachment of the president, with the greatest victims being the people," and emphasized, "The simultaneous departure of former President Yoon and Lee Jaemyung, the Democratic Party's presidential candidate, is the spirit of the times."
They further explained, "To concretely realize a strong alliance, the leaders of both parties aim to achieve national unity by forming and operating a coalition government as agreed upon by Kim Moonsu, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, and former Prime Minister Lee Nakyon. The goals also include promoting constitutional amendment to launch the 7th Republic, holding presidential and general elections simultaneously, and making Korea a country admired by the world within the three-year term."
First, the two parties agreed to form and operate a coalition government for national unity. Through a working-level consultative body appointed by the leaders of both parties, they will cooperate for victory in the presidential election and draft a policy agreement detailing the operation and policies of the coalition government.
Additionally, if candidate Kim is elected, a Constitutional Amendment Promotion Committee will be established as a government body immediately after the start of the presidential term, and the amendment process will be completed through a national referendum within two years. The plan is to complete the presidential term within three years and launch the new 7th Republic.
Regarding inter-Korean issues, the parties agreed to respect the declarations agreed upon by the two Koreas based on the agreements of the Roh Tae-woo administration, to resume suspended inter-Korean cooperation and exchanges, and to pursue an inter-Korean summit as soon as possible. They also stated their position to cooperate with the international community to promote the freedom and human rights of North Korean people, with the South Korea-U.S. alliance as the foundation.
In addition, they pledged to prioritize resolving regional and youth issues and to devise fundamental solutions to the climate crisis and inequality.
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