Woo Won-sik: "If We Fail to Amend the Constitution This Time, It Will Become Even More Difficult"

Appeal Ahead of the May 7 Plenary Vote

Emphasizes "Boosting Voter Turnout" and "Overcoming the Insurrection Narrative"

Resignations Raise the Bar for Constitutional Amendment

With the National Assembly vote on the constitutional amendment bill scheduled for the 7th of next month, Speaker of the National Assembly Woo Won-sik stated, "If we do not succeed this time, it will become extremely difficult to amend the Constitution in the future." He emphasized that the People Power Party, which has adopted an official stance opposing the amendment, must also change its position and support it.

On April 29, appearing on MBC Radio's "Kim Jongbae's Focus," Speaker Woo said, "It is not easy because the People Power Party is maintaining its party line against the amendment," adding, "I am making every effort to persuade them, given the urgency of the situation."

Woo Won-shik, Speaker of the National Assembly, held a press conference on the 27th in the National Assembly reception room, explaining the constitutional amendment bill scheduled for plenary session submission on the 7th of next month. Photo by Yonhap News.

He stated, "By advocating for the revision of the National Referendum Act, we succeeded in passing it for the first time in 12 years," and criticized, "There were many opportunities, yet there were groups that prevented even the revision of the Referendum Act. They avoided the chance to surpass a 50% voter turnout through elections, so how can we expect to have meaningful discussions on constitutional revision during ordinary times?" Speaker Woo also argued that, considering the upcoming June 3rd local elections, the constitutional amendment vote would help the opposition party by increasing voter turnout and overcoming the 'insurrection' narrative.

Despite Speaker Woo's efforts to persuade lawmakers, constitutional revision is becoming increasingly difficult. On this day in the National Assembly, eight members from the Democratic Party and one from the People Power Party are expected to resign in order to run in the local elections. Taking into account the quorum required for passage, at least 13 members of the People Power Party would need to vote in favor for the amendment bill to clear the National Assembly.

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