Song Eon-seok: "Let's Discuss a Constitutional Amendment Including Power Structure Reform After Local Elections"

Song Eonsuk, floor leader of the People Power Party, proposed on April 28 that, following the local elections, a constitutional amendment special committee composed of both the ruling and opposition parties-excluding the People Power Party-should be established to calmly discuss a comprehensive constitutional amendment, covering everything from the preamble of the Constitution to the restructuring of the power structure.

Attending the party strategy meeting at the National Assembly that day, Floor Leader Song stated, "If we create a precedent for hasty, election-driven constitutional amendments as is being attempted now, every election will see an overflow of constitutional amendment attempts and populist pledges aimed at winning votes."

Song Eonsuk, floor leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the party strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on April 28, 2026. Photo by Hyunmin Kim

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Previously, National Assembly Speaker Woo Wonshik held a press conference the day before and, addressing the People Power Party, which opposes a simultaneous constitutional amendment with the local elections, remarked, "Some say that the group that dislikes constitutional amendments the most is 'Yoon Again,' and there is criticism that the People's Power Party leadership is bound to them. If a constitutional amendment is blocked by the party’s official stance, the People Power Party must bear all responsibility."

In response, Floor Leader Song requested, "As the head of the legislative branch, Speaker Woo should maintain the dignity of his remarks," and added, "It is inappropriate to distort the issue by suggesting that lawmakers of the People Power Party are suppressing their personal conscience and convictions due to the party’s official position. I hope he will apologize to the members of the People Power Party."

Song further clarified, "As I have repeatedly stated, our objection is not to the content of constitutional amendments themselves, but to hasty amendments intended for election purposes," adding, "The Constitution is an organically structured system comprised of the preamble, main body, and addenda. Any revision should be undertaken with comprehensive discussion and careful deliberation."

Song also stated, "The constitutional preamble defines the historical spirit of the Constitution and thus requires sophisticated and rigorous debate, rather than a simple yes-or-no approach. There are arguments that the preamble should include the historical significance of the Korean War and liberal democracy. Additionally, sufficient discussion is needed on whether to address the Busan-Masan Democratic Uprising and the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement together with the April 19 Democratic Ideals already included in the preamble, or treat them separately."

He further emphasized, "A constitutional amendment should not be pushed through by the majority bloc in an effort to isolate the opposition, but should proceed through consensus based on political balance between the ruling and opposition parties. The attempt by the majority bloc to isolate the main opposition party in the past resulted in the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials becoming a waste of taxpayer money, and the semi-interlinked proportional representation system turning into a playground for satellite parties. Constitutional amendment is an issue of far greater importance, and such mistakes must never be repeated."

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