On July 17, a ceremony was held at the National Assembly to commemorate the 78th Constitution Day. Attendees included Cho Jung-sik, Speaker of the National Assembly, Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae, Constitutional Court President Kim Sang-hwan, Prime Minister Han Seong-sook, and representatives from both ruling and opposition parties, along with members of the National Assembly.
The theme of this year's Constitution Day celebration was "Opening the Constitution with National Sovereignty," and constitutional amendment emerged as a key topic. Speaker Cho stated, "Next year will be a year without nationwide elections and marks the 40th anniversary of the 1987 Constitution. I officially propose that we prepare a national sovereignty amendment proposal and conclude the 10th amendment within the 22nd National Assembly."
He also outlined a specific plan to discuss the amendment proposal sequentially through the National Assembly's Constitutional Amendment Advisory Committee and the Special Committee on Constitutional Amendment. He promised to create a public participation digital platform, tentatively named "Everyone's Constitution," to allow citizens to propose and discuss amendment ideas directly.
In his commemorative speech, Jeong Dae-cheol, President of the Korea Constitutional Society, emphasized the need for constitutional amendments, noting that there have been nine amendments in the 39 years since the Constitution was established, but the 1987 Constitution has remained unchanged for 39 years. In response, Han Byeong-do, acting leader of the Democratic Party and floor leader, expressed his strong agreement and welcomed the proposal for a national sovereignty amendment on his Facebook page, urging the immediate formation of a special committee for the amendment and hoping for proactive participation from the People Power Party.
The Democratic Party had previously supported an amendment proposal led by former National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-sik in April. That proposal was presented to the National Assembly in May but was discarded after the People Power Party abstained from voting.
Before the ceremony, Speaker Cho expressed gratitude to the four major leaders and the representatives from both parties, stating, "I appreciate everyone coming together, and it is meaningful to have those who practice and implement democracy here. I will do my best to uphold and develop constitutional values."
Cho had strongly urged the floor leaders of both parties to finalize negotiations on the composition of the National Assembly before Constitution Day. However, as negotiations stalled, the People Power Party announced it would not attend the Constitution Day event. In this context, Jung Jeom-sik's decision to attend was interpreted as a change of heart, prompting Cho to express his appreciation.
Nonetheless, Jung voiced his dissatisfaction with Cho and the Democratic Party on his Facebook page, stating, "The 22nd National Assembly, dominated by the Democratic Party, shows no respect for the opposition or willingness for dialogue and negotiation. It is trampling on the core values and principles of the Constitution, such as freedom of expression and the separation of powers, and is hesitating to investigate the infringement of the 6-3 national participation rights."
He added, "Constitution Day is not an alibi for an ultimatum to the opposition. What we should honor today is not the shell of Constitution Day, but the spirit of 'discussion and consensus.'"
Meanwhile, during the ceremony, former Speaker Woo received the Order of Merit for National Foundation, while former lawmakers Cho Nam-jo, Kim Jeong-sook, and Kim Tae-rang were each presented with a plaque of appreciation.
The theme of this year's Constitution Day celebration was "Opening the Constitution with National Sovereignty," and constitutional amendment emerged as a key topic. Speaker Cho stated, "Next year will be a year without nationwide elections and marks the 40th anniversary of the 1987 Constitution. I officially propose that we prepare a national sovereignty amendment proposal and conclude the 10th amendment within the 22nd National Assembly."
He also outlined a specific plan to discuss the amendment proposal sequentially through the National Assembly's Constitutional Amendment Advisory Committee and the Special Committee on Constitutional Amendment. He promised to create a public participation digital platform, tentatively named "Everyone's Constitution," to allow citizens to propose and discuss amendment ideas directly.
In his commemorative speech, Jeong Dae-cheol, President of the Korea Constitutional Society, emphasized the need for constitutional amendments, noting that there have been nine amendments in the 39 years since the Constitution was established, but the 1987 Constitution has remained unchanged for 39 years. In response, Han Byeong-do, acting leader of the Democratic Party and floor leader, expressed his strong agreement and welcomed the proposal for a national sovereignty amendment on his Facebook page, urging the immediate formation of a special committee for the amendment and hoping for proactive participation from the People Power Party.
The Democratic Party had previously supported an amendment proposal led by former National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-sik in April. That proposal was presented to the National Assembly in May but was discarded after the People Power Party abstained from voting.
Before the ceremony, Speaker Cho expressed gratitude to the four major leaders and the representatives from both parties, stating, "I appreciate everyone coming together, and it is meaningful to have those who practice and implement democracy here. I will do my best to uphold and develop constitutional values."
Cho had strongly urged the floor leaders of both parties to finalize negotiations on the composition of the National Assembly before Constitution Day. However, as negotiations stalled, the People Power Party announced it would not attend the Constitution Day event. In this context, Jung Jeom-sik's decision to attend was interpreted as a change of heart, prompting Cho to express his appreciation.
Nonetheless, Jung voiced his dissatisfaction with Cho and the Democratic Party on his Facebook page, stating, "The 22nd National Assembly, dominated by the Democratic Party, shows no respect for the opposition or willingness for dialogue and negotiation. It is trampling on the core values and principles of the Constitution, such as freedom of expression and the separation of powers, and is hesitating to investigate the infringement of the 6-3 national participation rights."
He added, "Constitution Day is not an alibi for an ultimatum to the opposition. What we should honor today is not the shell of Constitution Day, but the spirit of 'discussion and consensus.'"
Meanwhile, during the ceremony, former Speaker Woo received the Order of Merit for National Foundation, while former lawmakers Cho Nam-jo, Kim Jeong-sook, and Kim Tae-rang were each presented with a plaque of appreciation.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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