Fellow citizens, this is Woo Won-shik, Speaker of the National Assembly. Today, I propose that we swiftly pursue a constitutional amendment. The national consensus on the urgency of constitutional reform is stronger than ever, especially after the unconstitutional and illegal state of emergency and impeachment crisis. While the national turmoil caused by the Constitutional Court’s election has been resolved for now, the potential for destructive conflicts surrounding presidential power remains.
The limitations of our outdated constitution, which has failed to keep pace with societal changes, have long hindered social progress and the improvement of the quality of life for our citizens. The demands for political reform to end extreme confrontational politics and for social reform to improve the quality of life and realize true democracy are converging on constitutional amendment.
This amendment is a historic opportunity to transform the hardships experienced by our nation due to the intense conflicts and chaos of the past four months into a chance for a major transformation of the Republic of Korea. Though we averted a state of emergency that could have destroyed all of South Korea’s accomplishments, fundamental measures are needed to prevent such events from recurring. While the state of emergency is not the fault of the constitution, we must take this opportunity to supplement the constitution and establish structural safeguards. The key is to ensure that the principles of checks and balances, which support democracy, function through the constitution.
To eliminate the dangers of a winner-takes-all system and move towards national sovereignty, we must disperse power. To achieve national unity, we must effectively institutionalize cooperation and collaboration. We need a constitutional amendment that strengthens the pillars of separation of powers for national sovereignty and national unity. It is also urgent to reflect the changed social landscape and the demands of the people.
Since the 1987 constitutional amendment, 38 years have passed, bringing about tremendous changes. We have entered the ranks of developed countries through democratic development and rapid economic growth, and the sovereignty consciousness of our citizens has also increased. However, structural crises such as low birth rates, aging populations, and polarization have deepened, and we are facing new challenges such as climate change and digital transformation.
The work of creating paths through laws and institutions, especially the major thoroughfare that is the constitution, has been delayed, leading to a separation between reality and the constitution, and even pathological phenomena. We need a constitutional amendment that breathes life into the constitution, making it responsive to the times. To make the amendment a reality, we must first address the reasons why previous attempts have failed, despite the widespread public consensus on its necessity.
Since the launch of the Sixth Republic, most major candidates in the past six presidential elections have pledged constitutional amendments, but concrete procedures have been initiated only once. In the National Assembly, official discussions on constitutional amendments have been repeated for nearly 20 years since 2008 (the 18th National Assembly), but have not been successful. This is because the calculations of each political force differ, and their interests clash. The issue of restructuring power has been the biggest obstacle.
To avoid repeating this vicious cycle, we must start before the new president’s term begins. Now is the right time to achieve constitutional amendment, as the direction of the amendment—to disperse power and achieve national sovereignty and national unity—is clearest.
I propose holding a national referendum on the constitutional amendment simultaneously with the upcoming presidential election. We should agree on as much as we can within the deadline, and definitely address the most difficult issue of restructuring power this time. Inadequate aspects can be pursued through a second constitutional amendment in conjunction with next year’s local elections.
The people’s mandate and aspiration to elect the president with their own hands led to the realization of the direct election system amendment in a short period in 1987. Now, the people’s aspiration is to change the “Jaewang-jeok” presidential system (Imperial Presidency), a term referring to the over-concentration of power in the president, and the winner-takes-all political structure, which are the causes of extreme political conflict. It is no longer enough for the people to directly elect their representatives; they must also ensure that those representatives, from the president to the National Assembly, work properly. If the National Assembly responds responsibly to this aspiration, it can also realize the 2025 National Sovereignty and National Unity Constitutional Amendment.
Two things are needed for constitutional amendment to be successful: a political and social consensus to promote constitutional amendment, and a concrete constitutional amendment proposal that can be agreed upon. I believe that both of these have been established to some extent.
Voices actively supporting constitutional amendment are loud in various sectors of society, as well as in each political party. There has been much discussion about the constitutional amendment proposal. All that remains is to choose which proposal to adopt.
The Speaker of the National Assembly has also been operating an advisory committee and has been preparing to support the National Assembly’s Special Committee on Constitutional Amendment whenever it is formed. The remaining task is to enter the constitutional amendment procedure. I propose the amendment of the National Referendum Act and the formation of a National Assembly Special Committee on Constitutional Amendment for the constitutional amendment vote of each political party.
Currently, the biggest procedural obstacle hindering the national demand for constitutional amendment is the National Referendum Act. The provisions on overseas Korean voting rights, which have been ruled unconstitutional, must be revised. Since 1989, it has remained almost unchanged, and there are many inconsistencies with the Public Official Election Act, which has steadily reflected demands for suffrage, including the early voting system and lowering the voting age.
The revision of the National Referendum Act, which resolves the infringement of suffrage and creates a legal basis for simultaneous voting with public elections, is urgent. Although time is short, an amendment bill has already been introduced. If there is a will to amend the constitution this time, the deadline can be met.
I ask each political party to expedite the discussions. Secondly, let us immediately form a National Assembly Special Committee on Constitutional Amendment. Considering the time required for the constitutional amendment procedure, the formation of the special committee is urgent to quickly agree on the first minimum constitutional amendment proposal.
As the national demand for the broad direction is clear, and there is sufficient limited content from various sectors, the Speaker of the National Assembly will do his best to support the constitutional amendment proposal so that it can be derived as quickly as possible. It is said that nothing can be achieved without people, but nothing can be sustained without a system.
The Republic of Korea has overcome crises with the capabilities of its people. Now, we must reduce political and social conflicts with a system that creates a government that can engage in dialogue and compromise and unite the people, and pour our national capabilities into a new leap forward. That is why constitutional amendment is needed now.
At this time when the world is paying attention to the recovery power of Korean democracy, let us once again demonstrate the democratic capabilities of the Republic of Korea through a successful constitutional amendment. Thank you.
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