Six parliamentary parties excluding the People Power Party agreed on a constitutional amendment bill and, with signatures from a total of 187 lawmakers, moved to introduce the amendment on the 3rd.
On this day, the floor leaders of the six parliamentary parties, including the Democratic Party of Korea, gathered at the National Assembly to introduce the constitutional amendment bill. National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-sik said, "A total of 187 lawmakers signed," and added, "It is regrettable that not a single People Power Party lawmaker took part, but given the time available, we expect social consensus to form and are introducing the amendment today."
The amendment bill includes the National Assembly's ex post approval power over martial law, the spirit of the May 18 Democratization Movement and the Buma Democratic Uprising, and provisions on decentralization and balanced regional development.
Speaker Woo, referring to the People Power Party, which did not join the amendment, said, "The People Power Party is voicing opposition, but there are aspects that are hard to agree with," and added, "The contents of the amendment are not matters that would spark controversy but are composed of items already agreed upon socially."
He went on, "Having gone through the recent martial law, we judge this to be a minimal amendment to establish a democratic bulwark to prevent it in the future," and said, "The People Power Party has also discussed these matters sufficiently over time, so this is not an issue that should be contentious."
In addition, on the timing of the amendment, Speaker Woo said, "If the national referendum is held separately, even after spending a large expense, if turnout fails to reach 50% and it becomes invalid, it could be a major national loss," and added, "There is sufficient need to hold it simultaneously with nationwide elections."
Speaker Woo said, "We are opening the door to a constitutional amendment that has been delayed for 39 years," and again said, "I hope People Power Party lawmakers will join in serious deliberation for the Republic of Korea and the future."
Meanwhile, once introduced, the constitutional amendment bill is received by the National Assembly speaker and then forwarded to the government, after which the president publicly announces it for more than 20 days. If two-thirds or more of all lawmakers vote in favor, it is then put to a national referendum within 30 days and is amended if a majority of eligible voters turn out and a majority vote in favor.