Jeong Cheongrae Urges People Power Party PK Lawmakers to Support Including Busan-Masan Uprising in Constitution Preamble

"Including the Busan-Masan Democratic Uprising in the Constitution, No Reason for Opposition"
Calls on People Power Party to Join the Constitutional Amendment Vote

Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, urged lawmakers from the People Power Party to participate in the constitutional amendment vote scheduled for May 7. Jeong earnestly appealed, "I sincerely ask that all 286 members of the National Assembly who attend the plenary session vote solely according to their conscience and convictions, so as not to be ashamed before the people and history."

At the Supreme Council meeting of the Democratic Party held at the National Assembly on May 6, Jeong stated, "This constitutional amendment, being pursued for the first time in 39 years, is a phased amendment designed to reflect the changes of the times, and is composed of elements that no one should have any reason to oppose." He added, "Including the Busan-Masan Democratic Uprising in the preamble of the Constitution is something that the People Power Party, which receives many votes and wins many seats in Busan, should have no reason to oppose."

In particular, Jeong made a special appeal to the 17 People Power Party lawmakers with constituencies in Busan and the 4 lawmakers with constituencies in Changwon, Gyeongnam, which includes Masan, saying, "I urge you to step forward to include the spirit of the Buma Uprising in the preamble of the Constitution."

Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on May 6, 2026. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

He went on to say, regarding the provision to strengthen the National Assembly's control over martial law, "Clarifying the procedures for the proclamation and termination of martial law so that the president's unilateral declaration of martial law can never happen again is also something I cannot understand any objections to." He added, "I appeal to all lawmakers from the People Power Party. As representatives of the people's will, I hope you will vote according to your convictions on this constitutional amendment."

Jeong emphasized, "This constitutional amendment, as I have repeatedly stressed, is a phased process. We can gradually draft amendments on issues that achieve social consensus through intense debate and careful consideration." He continued, "Arguments that it is premature or that the process is being rushed are completely unfounded."

He further said, "Blocking the judgment and decisions of the people of Korea, who are the sovereigns of this country, is a serious violation of their rights and should not be seen as anything but an insult to the level of our citizens." He reiterated, "I sincerely ask that all 286 members of the National Assembly vote solely according to their conscience and convictions, so as not to be ashamed before the people and history."

Park Ji-won, Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party, called on the People Power Party, "Do not hide behind the party line," and appealed, "If you oppose, come into the voting chamber and cast your vote against it."

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