Speaker Woo Won-sik Visits PK Region for Second Day to Advocate Constitutional Amendment: "People Power Party Should Participate in Vote Regardless of Stance"

Woo Won-sik, Speaker of the National Assembly, spent a second consecutive day in the Busan and Gyeongnam (PK) region, advocating for the necessity of constitutional amendment. Speaker Woo appealed to lawmakers from the People Power Party to participate in the plenary session vote, regardless of whether they support or oppose the amendment.

Invited by the Pan-Citizen Committee for the Inclusion of the Pumaminjung Uprising in the Constitution's Preamble, Speaker Woo appeared on MBC Gyeongnam Radio's "Good Morning" program on the 15th, where he outlined the need for constitutional amendment. He stated, "In the past, the Chun Doo-hwan regime blocked the National Assembly, suppressed the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement, and cracked down on democracy. The same thing happened during the 12·3 Martial Law. Now, the National Assembly needs not just the power to lift martial law, but the authority to approve it," explaining the rationale for amending the Constitution.

Woo Won-sik, Speaker of the National Assembly, is speaking in front of the Pumaminjung Uprising Monument at Pusan National University on the 14th. Photo by Yonhap News

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Speaker Woo also highlighted the addition of provisions regarding the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement, the Pumaminjung Uprising, and "balanced regional development," explaining, "If we look at the issues of regional imbalance and the risk of regional extinction, we need a comprehensive review of the conditions affecting the quality of life for citizens, such as education, healthcare, and housing. If balanced regional development becomes a national responsibility under the Constitution, it could lead to stronger policies for regional development."

Speaker Woo called for a shift in the stance of the People Power Party, which currently opposes constitutional amendment. At present, it is difficult to ensure the bill's passage due to the party's official opposition and its possession of enough seats to block the amendment. Regarding this, Speaker Woo said, "Visiting places like Busan and Changwon, which are closely tied to the inclusion of the Pumaminjung Uprising in the preamble, is meant to persuade the public that this is something that must be done. I hope lawmakers from the People Power Party will come to the polls and vote, regardless of whether they are for or against the amendment."

The previous day, Speaker Woo visited Busan Democracy Park to pay his respects and held a meeting with the Pan-Citizen Committee for the Inclusion of the Pumaminjung Uprising in the Constitution's Preamble. At the meeting, he said, "The Pumaminjung Uprising served as a catalyst for the end of the Yushin regime and is remembered as an important turning point in the history of democratization. Including the Pumaminjung Uprising in the Constitution's preamble fully demonstrates the historical flow and lineage of Korea's democratic constitutional order."

An official from the Speaker’s office stated, "The schedules in Busan yesterday and in Changwon today are being carried out to build consensus regarding the inclusion of the Pumaminjung Uprising in the Constitution. For now, we need to encourage support from the People Power Party, so we are working to enhance local residents’ understanding of the constitutional amendment process and build consensus around this issue." Regarding the prospects for passing the amendment, the official added, "The overall political landscape needs to change, and with local elections approaching, we are hoping for a shift in the People Power Party’s position."

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