[6.3 Election] Justice Innovation Party Urges People Power Party: "Respond to May 18 Preamble Inclusion with a Vote"

The Gwangju Chapter of the Justice Innovation Party has called on the People Power Party to change its stance ahead of the upcoming plenary vote on the constitutional amendment regarding the inclusion of the May 18 spirit in the preamble. The constitutional amendment must be approved by at least two-thirds of the total members of the National Assembly within 60 days after it is announced by the National Assembly.

On the morning of April 28, at a press conference held in the briefing room of the Gwangju Metropolitan City Council, the Justice Innovation Party Gwangju Chapter declared, "The inclusion of the May 18 spirit is a non-negotiable minimum standard for a democratic republic." The chapter urged the People Power Party to "immediately stop the insincere tributes and empty promises that insult the spirits of May, and respond at once to the call of history by enshrining it in the preamble of the constitution."

They stated, "The constitutional amendment, which centers on the inclusion of the May 18 spirit in the preamble and the strengthening of martial law controls, is facing a plenary vote." They argued that "the People Power Party is hiding behind the excuse of 'discussion after the election' and is trying to squander the first opportunity for constitutional revision in 39 years."

Boram Kim, spokesperson for the Justice Innovation Party Gwangju Branch, is announcing the position on the inclusion of the May 18 spirit in the preamble of the constitution on the morning of the 28th at the briefing room of Gwangju Metropolitan Council. Photo by Bohyun Song

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They also criticized Mr. Jeon Hangil's recent remark that "May 18 was an insurrection," calling it "a blatant historical attack on Korean democracy." They added, "Such anti-historical agitation is being repeated amid the silence and acquiescence of the People Power Party." Furthermore, they said, "While outwardly claiming to carry on the spirit, in reality, this double standard of condoning historical denial only gives justification to those distorting history."

The Justice Innovation Party Gwangju Chapter stated, "If your opposition to the December 3 Martial Law was sincere, then you should confidently participate in the vote on the amendment. To turn away from preventing the recurrence of martial law dictatorship and from inscribing the value of May 18 as a foundation of the nation is to admit yourself to be a perpetrator of democracy's destruction."

They added, "The upcoming May plenary session will be the final judgment that determines whether the People Power Party stands on the side of democracy or remains a reactionary force in history."

Previously, on April 3, 187 lawmakers from six parties-Democratic Party of Korea, Justice Innovation Party, Progressive Party, Reform Party, Basic Income Party, and Social Democratic Party-proposed a constitutional amendment. The proposed amendment specifies the succession of the ideals of the April 19 Revolution, the Busan-Masan Democratic Uprising, and the May 18 Democratization Movement in the preamble, requires immediate National Assembly approval for the president's declaration of martial law, stipulates that the declaration loses effect if a vote is not held or is rejected within 48 hours, and includes provisions obligating the government to address regional disparities and promote balanced development.

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