Cho Jung-sik, the Speaker of the National Assembly, proposed on July 17 during the 78th Constitution Day celebration that the 22nd National Assembly finalize a constitutional amendment. This suggestion elicited contrasting reactions from the ruling and opposition parties. The Democratic Party expressed support and called for the swift formation of a constitutional amendment committee, while the People Power Party responded sharply, stating that the Democratic Party and the Speaker lack the qualifications to discuss amendments.
Park Sung-hoon, the chief spokesperson for the People Power Party, criticized the ruling party in a statement on July 18, saying, "The current major ruling party is using the legislative power granted by the people solely as a tool for party interests and political strife."
He added, "Before discussing amendments, the Democratic Party should reflect on the current constitution and the spirit of parliamentary democracy, which they have trampled upon. How can those who disregard constitutional principles and rule of law lead a constitutional amendment that will shape the nation's future?"
Park further asserted that the underlying motive is to permanently entrench parliamentary monopoly power and manipulate the power structure to their advantage, emphasizing that the People Power Party will not tolerate any strategic attempts to justify parliamentary dictatorship.
Na Kyung-won, a member of the People Power Party, also took to Facebook the previous day, stating, "The reality is that there is no provision in the current constitution to stop the unchecked power of a single-party dictatorship and parliamentary overreach. The constitutional amendment to allow the sovereign people to directly question the National Assembly's confidence must be actively discussed."
In contrast, Han Byeong-do, the acting leader and floor leader of the Democratic Party, welcomed Cho's proposal, stating, "The discussion of constitutional amendments that inherit the achievements of the 1987 system while opening a new future for South Korea is a historical task that can no longer be delayed. We must immediately form a constitutional amendment committee and gather the will of the people."
He added, "The Democratic Party will do its utmost to ensure that a constitutional amendment reflecting the demands of the changed era and guaranteeing popular sovereignty is realized as soon as possible, and we hope for the proactive participation of the People Power Party."
Political analysts suggest that, given the current deadlock in negotiations over the composition of the National Assembly, the opposition is unlikely to actively respond to the immediate formation of a constitutional amendment committee. In fact, Jeong Jeom-sik, the floor leader of the People Power Party, provided a general response to reporters after the Constitution Day celebration, stating, "We have repeatedly expressed that we do not fundamentally oppose constitutional amendments, so we will consider discussions moving forward."
However, the People Power Party had previously declared its intention to abstain from voting when a constitutional amendment proposal was presented in May, suggesting that a constitutional amendment committee should be formed in the second half of the 22nd National Assembly. Therefore, if the composition of the National Assembly is finalized and an agreement is reached to form a constitutional amendment committee with equal representation from both parties, discussions on amendments could gain momentum.
Meanwhile, Cho emphasized the need for constitutional amendments to include provisions such as the inclusion of the spirit of the May 18 Democratic Movement in the preamble, restrictions on the president's power to declare a state of emergency, restructuring of power, and electoral reform.
Park Sung-hoon, the chief spokesperson for the People Power Party, criticized the ruling party in a statement on July 18, saying, "The current major ruling party is using the legislative power granted by the people solely as a tool for party interests and political strife."
He added, "Before discussing amendments, the Democratic Party should reflect on the current constitution and the spirit of parliamentary democracy, which they have trampled upon. How can those who disregard constitutional principles and rule of law lead a constitutional amendment that will shape the nation's future?"
Park further asserted that the underlying motive is to permanently entrench parliamentary monopoly power and manipulate the power structure to their advantage, emphasizing that the People Power Party will not tolerate any strategic attempts to justify parliamentary dictatorship.
Na Kyung-won, a member of the People Power Party, also took to Facebook the previous day, stating, "The reality is that there is no provision in the current constitution to stop the unchecked power of a single-party dictatorship and parliamentary overreach. The constitutional amendment to allow the sovereign people to directly question the National Assembly's confidence must be actively discussed."
In contrast, Han Byeong-do, the acting leader and floor leader of the Democratic Party, welcomed Cho's proposal, stating, "The discussion of constitutional amendments that inherit the achievements of the 1987 system while opening a new future for South Korea is a historical task that can no longer be delayed. We must immediately form a constitutional amendment committee and gather the will of the people."
He added, "The Democratic Party will do its utmost to ensure that a constitutional amendment reflecting the demands of the changed era and guaranteeing popular sovereignty is realized as soon as possible, and we hope for the proactive participation of the People Power Party."
Political analysts suggest that, given the current deadlock in negotiations over the composition of the National Assembly, the opposition is unlikely to actively respond to the immediate formation of a constitutional amendment committee. In fact, Jeong Jeom-sik, the floor leader of the People Power Party, provided a general response to reporters after the Constitution Day celebration, stating, "We have repeatedly expressed that we do not fundamentally oppose constitutional amendments, so we will consider discussions moving forward."
However, the People Power Party had previously declared its intention to abstain from voting when a constitutional amendment proposal was presented in May, suggesting that a constitutional amendment committee should be formed in the second half of the 22nd National Assembly. Therefore, if the composition of the National Assembly is finalized and an agreement is reached to form a constitutional amendment committee with equal representation from both parties, discussions on amendments could gain momentum.
Meanwhile, Cho emphasized the need for constitutional amendments to include provisions such as the inclusion of the spirit of the May 18 Democratic Movement in the preamble, restrictions on the president's power to declare a state of emergency, restructuring of power, and electoral reform.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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