Speaker Woo Urges Constitutional Amendment Alongside Presidential Election Despite Opposition

Speaker of the National Assembly, Woo Won-shik, has reiterated his proposal to pursue a constitutional amendment (개헌, gaeheon) alongside the upcoming presidential election, despite dissenting views from within the Democratic Party.

The main points of Speaker Woo’s statement and the related context are as follows:

• Woo’s Stance: Despite Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung prioritizing “ending the internal strife” over constitutional amendments, Speaker Woo emphasizes that both major parties have agreed to a simultaneous constitutional amendment and presidential election vote. He views this as a positive sign and urges swift action, starting with revising the National Referendum Act.
• Lee Jae-myung’s Opposition: Lee Jae-myung stated that while constitutional amendments are necessary, preventing the destruction of democracy is more urgent. This effectively rejects Speaker Woo’s proposal for a simultaneous vote.
• People Power Party’s Support: In contrast, Kwon Young-se, head of the People Power Party’s emergency committee, expressed support for drafting a constitutional amendment that reflects the people’s will and putting it to a vote alongside the presidential election.

Full Summary and Details:

[Speaker Woo’s Press Conference on Constitutional Amendment]

Woo Won-shik, the Speaker of the National Assembly, held a press conference on April 6 regarding constitutional amendments.

[Woo’s Statement on Agreement for Simultaneous Vote]

On April 7, Speaker Woo Won-shik stated that the leaders of both the Democratic Party and the People Power Party have agreed to a ‘constitutional amendment and presidential election simultaneous vote,’ and he reiterated his proposal to pursue constitutional amendments in this upcoming election.

While Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung stated, “Constitutional amendments are necessary, but ending the internal strife is more urgent now,” effectively rejecting the proposal, Speaker Woo found significance in opening up the possibility of discussions on including the spirit of the May 18 Democratic Uprising (5·18 정신, a pro-democracy movement in Gwangju) in the Constitution’s preamble and strengthening martial law requirements.

In his statement that day, Speaker Woo said, “The leaders of both negotiating bodies in the National Assembly have stated their agreement to a constitutional amendment simultaneous vote with the presidential election,” and added, “I welcome this.”

Speaker Woo continued, “Constitutional amendments can be done as long as there is agreement among the political parties. Let’s expedite the revision of the National Referendum Act so that constitutional amendments can begin with this upcoming election.”

Earlier that day, at a Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly, Lee Jae-myung stated, “While developing democracy is important, preventing the destruction of democracy is much more urgent right now,” effectively rejecting Speaker Woo’s proposal for a simultaneous constitutional amendment and presidential election vote.

In contrast, Kwon Young-se, chairman of the People Power Party’s emergency committee, said at the emergency committee meeting that day, “We will promote a plan to prepare a constitutional amendment that properly reflects the people’s will and put it to a national vote together on the presidential election day.”