[Feature] Push for Simultaneous Constitutional Referendum with Local Elections... How Far Has the May 18 Movement Made It into the Constitution?

187 Lawmakers from Six Parties Jointly Propose Amendment...
Stronger Martial Law Controls and Balanced Regional Development Specified
191 Votes Needed Out of 286 Members...
Key Variable Is Whether People Power Party Members Break Ranks

For the first time in 39 years since the 1987 constitutional amendment, discussions on revising the Constitution have reached the stage of a plenary vote in the National Assembly. With 187 lawmakers from six ruling and opposition parties having proposed a constitutional amendment bill that includes enshrining the spirit of the May 18 Democratic Movement in the preamble, the decision now rests with the National Assembly on whether this will lead to an actual amendment of the Constitution.

This proposed amendment reflects the democratic ideals of the Bu-Ma Democratic Uprising and the May 18 Democratic Movement in the preamble, strengthens parliamentary controls over presidential declarations of martial law, and stipulates the state's obligation to address regional disparities and promote balanced development. Even within the People Power Party, there are growing calls for participation in the amendment process, and whether the preamble's revision will be realized is expected to be determined by the plenary vote scheduled for next month.

Woo Wonsik, Speaker of the National Assembly, holds the petition for the proposed amendment to the Constitution of the Republic of Korea and the National Assembly declaration for bipartisan constitutional reform at a press conference of floor leaders of all parties for bipartisan constitutional reform held at the National Assembly on the 31st. From left: Yoon Jongoh, Floor Leader of the Progressive Party; Han Byungdo, Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea; Speaker Woo; Seo Wangjin, Floor Leader of the Party for National Innovation; Han Changmin, Representative of the Social Democratic Party.

187 lawmakers from six parties propose amendment... Includes stronger martial law controls and May 18 in preamble

On the 3rd of this month, 187 lawmakers from six ruling and opposition parties—including the Democratic Party, the Innovation Party, the Progressive Party, the Reform Party, the Basic Income Party, and the Social Democratic Party—jointly proposed the constitutional amendment bill.

The proposed amendment stipulates that the preamble will succeed the democratic ideals of the April 19 Revolution, as well as the Bu-Ma Democratic Uprising and the May 18 Democratic Movement. It also includes provisions to strengthen the National Assembly's control over presidential declarations of martial law, as well as to define the reduction of regional disparities and balanced national development as constitutional obligations of the state. Additionally, the amendment includes changing the title of the Constitution to the Korean spelling of "Constitution of the Republic of Korea."

The stated reason for this constitutional amendment is to supplement the constitutional system that has been in place for 39 years since the 1987 amendment and to reflect the realities of a changing society through a step-by-step amendment process. In particular, the 12·3 Martial Law Incident highlighted the need to establish clear institutional mechanisms in the Constitution to respond to unconstitutional or unlawful attempts at martial law.

Proponents also noted that Korean democracy has developed through a historical trajectory from the April 19 Revolution to the Bu-Ma Democratic Uprising and the May 18 Democratic Movement, making the inclusion of democratization movements' ideals in the preamble a reflection of the historical legitimacy of democracy. The growing problem of regional disparities, exacerbated by declining birth rates, an aging population, and the concentration of resources in the capital region, is also seen as a national issue that can no longer be neglected, and the need to specify balanced regional development as a constitutional duty of the state has been raised.

A partial document of the amendment to the Constitution of the Republic of Korea includes Korean localization of the Constitution's title as "Constitution of the Republic of Korea," specification of the democratic ideals of the Bu-Ma Democratic Uprising and the May 18 Democratic Movement in the preamble, obligation for National Assembly approval when martial law is declared, and a clause for loss of effect if not approved within 48 hours. Photo by Sohng Bohyun

Includes stronger martial law controls... 68.3% support for amendment in National Assembly survey

The bill also requires the president to obtain parliamentary approval without delay when declaring martial law, and stipulates that the martial law will lose its effect if the National Assembly does not approve it or if approval is not granted within 48 hours. There is also a provision that would end the effect of martial law immediately should the National Assembly vote for its termination.

The rationale for the amendment also cited broad public consensus in favor of constitutional revision. According to a National Assembly survey of 12,000 citizens aged 18 or older, 68.3% supported the constitutional amendment, while 59.8% supported specifying democratization movements in the preamble. Furthermore, 77.5% supported stronger parliamentary controls over martial law, and 83.0% favored specifying the state's responsibility to address regional disparities and promote balanced development. In addition, 69.5% of respondents supported a step-by-step approach to constitutional revision centered on issues on which consensus is possible.

Mixed opinions within the People Power Party... Calls for a free vote spreading

There are also differing opinions within the People Power Party regarding the handling of the amendment.

Kim Yongtae, a member of the People Power Party, stated on the 1st, "The party leadership's opposition to the amendment for insubstantial reasons is tantamount to invalidating the 'Resolution of Determination' signed by 107 lawmakers." He emphasized that specifying the Bu-Ma Democratic Uprising and the May 18 Democratic Movement in the preamble, as well as codifying balanced regional development, are in line with the commitments the party has made to the public.

Kim Yongtae, a member of the People Power Party, is being interviewed at The Asia Business Daily headquarters in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yongjun

Lee Junghyun, a prospective candidate for the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special Mayor from the People Power Party, also told The Asia Business Daily, "I have long supported including the spirit of May 18 in the preamble," adding, "The parliamentary vote should be guided not by party lines but by each lawmaker's conscience and historical awareness." He said, "May 18 is not an event of a specific region, but a history in which Korean democracy was defended with blood," and "Enshrining the process of democratic restoration and the sacrifices of the people in the preamble clarifies the nation's origins and values." He added, "This issue should not be a subject of political strife but should be decided through sufficient discussion and social consensus," and "The vote should be free, the judgment should be made according to conscience, and the outcome should lead to national unity."

On the other hand, Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, continues to oppose pursuing the constitutional amendment simultaneously with the local elections. The People Power Party has also raised concerns that this amendment process might be a precursor to extending President Lee Jaemyung's term. However, Article 128, Paragraph 2 of the current Constitution stipulates that any amendment to extend or modify the presidential term will not apply to the incumbent president, and the current amendment bill does not include any provisions related to the presidential term.

Plenary vote in the National Assembly is the key turning point

Speaker Woo Wonsik stated at a National Assembly press conference on the 27th, regarding the plenary vote scheduled for the 7th of next month, "If the vote fails, we can try again and again," adding, "Re-voting is possible until the deadline, which is ten days before the referendum."

Speaker Woo Wonsik held a press conference regarding the constitutional amendment proposal on April 27th in the National Assembly reception room. 2026.4.27 Photo by Hyunmin Kim

According to the Constitution, unlike ordinary bills, a constitutional amendment bill can be re-voted within the same session even after being rejected. However, to hold a national referendum on the same day as the local elections on June 3, the bill must pass the National Assembly by May 10 at the latest.

Currently, due to the resignation of nine lawmakers running for metropolitan mayoral posts, there are 286 sitting members, and 191 votes are needed to pass the amendment bill. Given that the ruling bloc holds around 180 seats, at least 11 lawmakers from the People Power Party would need to vote in favor for the bill to pass.

Speaker Woo reiterated the necessity of passing the amendment, stating, "If we fail this time, there's no telling when we will get another chance."

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