PPP Floor Leader Song Eon-seok Opposes 'Hasty' Election-Driven Constitutional Revision

Song Eon-seok, floor leader of the People Power Party, said April 28 that a constitutional amendment should not be rushed ahead of an election, as the National Assembly prepared to vote on a revision bill jointly introduced by National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik and six floor parties.  

Speaking at a party meeting at the National Assembly, Song said pushing a revision through in a hurry for electoral purposes would set a precedent and fuel “constitutional revision populism” every election season.

“Our party is not opposing the substance of constitutional revision,” Song said. “We oppose a hasty, election-driven revision,” as he presented what he called the People Power Party’s five principles for a proper amendment.

He argued against a piecemeal approach, saying, “Step-by-step revision is ultimately a patchwork revision,” and warned that repeatedly making small changes would leave the Constitution like “a patchwork garment.”

Song said the Constitution’s preamble, which defines its history and spirit, requires careful and rigorous debate rather than a simple yes-or-no decision. He said some have argued the preamble should reflect the constitutional significance of liberal democracy during the Korean War, calling it an issue that should be addressed together. He also said broader public discussion is needed on whether to group the Bu-Ma Democratic Protests and the May 18 Democratization Movement with the April 19 democratic ideal in the current preamble, or treat them as separate principles.

Song said revision should not be led by those in power, but should be “the people’s revision,” with the National Assembly, academia and civil society participating. He said all parties should work together under the Assembly’s leadership to gather public opinion and revise the Constitution accordingly.

He added that revision should not be pushed through by pro-government parties to isolate the opposition, but should proceed through bipartisan agreement based on political balance. Song said the People Power Party again proposes that after the election, in the second half of the 22nd National Assembly, the parties form a special parliamentary committee on constitutional revision to discuss a comprehensive package, from the preamble to changes in the power structure.

Song also expressed regret over Woo’s remarks on the People Power Party’s official stance opposing the revision, after Woo said lawmakers should be able to vote in the plenary session according to their conscience and convictions. Song said a party line is decided by the collective will of all its lawmakers and called Woo’s comments inappropriate, saying they distorted the situation as if party lawmakers were being forced to abandon their conscience. He demanded an apology.