"After 39 Years... Will the Door to Constitutional Amendment Open Today?"

191 Votes Needed Out of 286 Lawmakers

Speaker Woo Wonshik Likely to Delay Vote While Waiting for People Power Party

If Vote Fails to Meet Quorum, Amendment Vote to Be Retried on May 8

On May 7, the National Assembly is set to hold a plenary session to vote on a constitutional amendment bill, which includes provisions to strengthen the requirements for constitutional amendments, incorporate references to the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement and the Busan-Masan Protests into the preamble, and promote balanced regional development. This marks the first attempt at constitutional revision in 39 years since the 1987 amendment. However, there is a variable: the People Power Party, which has more than 100 seats—a blocking minority—is officially opposed to the amendment as a party policy.

Due to the impact of the June 3 local elections and other factors, the current total number of sitting lawmakers is 286. To pass the constitutional amendment bill, at least 191 votes in favor are required. Excluding independent lawmaker Kang Sunwoo, who is currently in detention, there are estimated to be 179 lawmakers in favor of the amendment (152 from the Democratic Party of Korea, 12 from the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, 4 from the Progressive Party, 3 from the Reform Party, 1 from the Basic Income Party, 1 from the Social Democratic Party, and 6 independents). If at least 12 lawmakers from the People Power Party do not vote in favor, the amendment will be rejected.

Han Byungdo, floor leader of the Democratic Party, said at a policy coordination meeting at the National Assembly on the same day, "In the eyes of the public, those who oppose the amendment will be seen as defending illegal martial law," urging, "If lawmakers have even a shred of conscience and conviction, please participate in today's vote."

Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, attended a field Supreme Council meeting that morning and said, "The amendment the Democratic Party intends to pass today is a political ploy to extend dictatorship," adding, "If you truly intend to amend the constitution, President Lee should first declare that he will not seek re-election, and the Democratic Party must immediately withdraw the motion for a special prosecutor to drop indictments, thereby pledging to uphold the constitution."

The People Power Party is considering not participating in the vote. Kwak Kyutaek, senior deputy floor leader, told reporters the previous day, "At the general assembly, the majority opinion was that it would not be appropriate to participate in the vote." The People Power Party is expected to hold another general assembly of lawmakers this afternoon to finalize its stance on the amendment vote and to ensure party discipline. So far, only three lawmakers within the party—Cho Kyungtae, Kim Yongtae, and Han Jia—have expressed support for the amendment. However, it is reported that both Cho and Kim are negative about participating in the vote. Han, appearing on 'MBC Kim Jongbae's Focus' that day, stated, "As a constitutional body, we must decide whether to vote in favor, against, or abstain," but also said, "I am still considering whether or not to participate."

If the People Power Party does not enter the voting chamber, the vote will not reach a quorum and will not be valid. In that case, another attempt at voting on the amendment is expected to take place on May 8. Kim Hankyu, senior deputy floor leader of the Democratic Party, said, "Given the nature of constitutional amendments, more than two-thirds must vote in favor for it to pass," and added, "If the People Power Party does not attend and the vote is invalid, the Speaker may convene another plenary session."

Speaker Woo Wonshik is expected to table the amendment bill at the plenary session and wait while requesting the attendance of People Power Party lawmakers. If the bill is not processed even after waiting, the amendment will be postponed, and only bills agreed upon by both parties are likely to be addressed. Kim, the senior deputy floor leader, said, "Even if the amendment is not passed due to lack of quorum, the People Power Party has agreed to process other bills at the plenary session through bipartisan consultation." Currently, 203 items are on the plenary session agenda, and it is expected that around 100 of them will be processed by both parties.

An official from the National Assembly said, "The leaderships of both parties are scheduled to meet to coordinate the plenary session agenda," adding, "For now, it is understood that the amendment bill will be given priority."

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