National Planning Committee Begins Discussions to Detail 'Public Participation-Based Constitutional Amendment' as Promised by President Lee

Holding a National Constitutional Amendment Forum Discussed
Discussions with Minbyun and the People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy
"National Planning Committee Organizes Procedures and Methods... Final Decision Lies with the National Assembly"

Jo Seungrae, spokesperson for the National Planning Committee, is briefing on current issues at the Changseongdong Annex of Seoul City Hall in Jongno-gu, Seoul on June 23, 2025. Photo by Jo Yongjun

The National Planning Committee announced on July 21, 2025, that it is seeking ways to ensure 'public participation' in the constitutional amendment process. This move follows President Lee Jaemyung's mention of a 'people-centered constitutional amendment' on Constitution Day, July 17, which prompted the committee to begin studying implementation measures.

Jo Seungrae, spokesperson for the National Planning Committee, stated in a briefing on this day, "On Constitution Day, the president pledged to make every effort to ensure that the will of the people is fully reflected in the constitutional amendment discussions, promising to pursue a 'public participation-based constitutional amendment.' In line with this, the National Planning Committee is also examining the design of governance that guarantees public participation in the amendment process, as well as ways to make this concrete."

In order to gather a wide range of opinions, the committee held a meeting on July 18 with civil society organizations, including the Lawyers for a Democratic Society (Minbyun) and the People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy. During this meeting, participants exchanged views on ways to design a public participation-based constitutional amendment, including the possibility of holding a national constitutional amendment forum. However, the role of the National Planning Committee is to organize the content of the constitutional amendment pledged by President Lee and to specify the related procedures. Substantive discussions will take place at the National Assembly's Special Committee on Constitutional Amendment.

Spokesperson Jo said, "The National Planning Committee is organizing the constitutional amendment pledged by President Lee and, as a national policy task, is listening to various suggestions from citizens. We are the ones organizing the procedures and methods." He added, "As conditions for implementation, revisions to the National Referendum Act may be necessary. On the other hand, the process of publicizing and reaching a conclusion to put the amendment to a national referendum is a task for the National Assembly." He also explained, "Whether to pursue a phased constitutional amendment, as suggested by National Assembly Speaker Woo Wonshik, or to pursue a comprehensive amendment in a single step, should be determined and decided through discussions in the National Assembly."