Park Byeong-seok: "Constitutional Amendment Discussions Should Intensify After April By-Election"

"Constitutional Amendment is the Institutional Completion of National Unity"
"Efforts Must Also Be Made to Decentralize Power and Revise Election Laws" Requested

On the 8th, Speaker of the National Assembly Park Byeong-seok is striking the gavel in the plenary session hall of the National Assembly. Photo by Kang Jin-hyeong aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporters Jeon Jinyoung and Park Juni] Park Byeongseok, Speaker of the National Assembly, stated that discussions on constitutional amendment should be intensified as soon as the April by-elections conclude.

In his opening remarks at the plenary session held at the National Assembly on the 1st, Speaker Park said, "This year is practically the last year for the 21st National Assembly to implement a constitutional amendment."

He emphasized, "The institutional completion of national unity is the constitutional amendment," adding, "It is urgent to embody the new spirit of the times in the constitution to keep pace with the rapidly changing era."

He continued, "There will be a presidential election in March next year. The National Assembly must reach an agreement on the constitutional amendment within this year," and pointed out, "If the amendment is not made this year, it means carrying a constitution created during the industrialization era for nearly 40 years. It is like wearing ill-fitting clothes."

He also urged efforts toward power decentralization and election law reform alongside the constitutional amendment. Speaker Park said, "Power decentralization, which can reflect the people's will in a balanced manner, must also be achieved. I ask both ruling and opposition parties to prepare responsibly," and added, "Election law reform must also be discussed. The composition of seats should be proportional to the vote share. As the election approaches, reform becomes more difficult, so discussions should start without delay."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.