Woo Wonshik: "Will Not Submit Constitutional Amendment Bill to Plenary Session... Expresses Strong Regret Toward People Power Party" (Update)

"Special Committee on Constitutional Amendment Must Be Established in the Second Half of the Year"

On May 8, National Assembly Speaker Woo Wonshik did not bring the constitutional amendment bill to the National Assembly plenary session. Addressing the People Power Party, which had announced plans to filibuster (unlimited debate) the amendment, he stated, "I cannot help but express my strong regret toward the People Power Party, which has blocked constitutional revision for the first time in 39 years," adding, "I hope you feel ashamed and fearful."

View of the National Assembly plenary session held on the 7th. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

At the plenary session held that afternoon, Speaker Woo said, "Yesterday, the People Power Party invalidated the vote by not participating, and today they have declared their intention to hold an unlimited debate, so I will not submit the constitutional amendment bill any further. As of today, this procedure is suspended."

Speaker Woo explained, "I convened the plenary session again today in order to prevent the failure of constitutional revision for the first time in 39 years, no matter what," adding, "I earnestly requested that they face public sentiment, reflect more deeply, and participate." He continued, "However, seeing the People Power Party respond with a filibuster makes me think that further proceedings are pointless."

Speaker Woo pointed out, "Last year, the People Power Party officially pledged to actively promote the inclusion of the May 18 Democratic Uprising in the Constitution, and also claimed to reflect on the December 3 Martial Law Emergency, not to mention national balanced development." He criticized, "They now call this a rushed constitutional amendment, but it was the Speaker who repeatedly proposed it. It was the People Power Party that refused and did not respond each time."

Speaker Woo further stated, "Not only has the People Power Party thrown away a hard-won opportunity for constitutional revision, but as a major political party, it has also abandoned its responsibility to fulfill its promises to the people." He then asked, "Do you really think that, after obstructing a constitutional revision that would make illegal martial law impossible—even resorting to a filibuster—you can escape public suspicion and criticism for failing to sever ties with former President Yoon Suk-yeol, who was sentenced to life imprisonment by the court as the ringleader of an insurrection?"

Speaker Woo emphasized, "This outcome must not further entrench the belief that constitutional revision is impossible," and added, "Now, the National Assembly must take up this responsibility again." He continued, "Although my multiple requests to form a special committee on constitutional revision have not succeeded so far, I urge that it be established without fail in the latter half of the year." He also called on both ruling and opposition parties "to present the people with a clear timetable for constitutional revision in a responsible manner."

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