[Editorial] Constitutional Amendment Thwarted by PPP's Political Maneuvering; Urged to Abandon Slander and Follow Public Sentiment

The Hankyoreh condemns the People Power Party's (PPP) obstruction of a crucial constitutional amendment, labeling their actions as politically motivated and detached from the public will. The proposed amendment, put forth by a broad coalition of six parties, was designed to strengthen democratic checks and balances, including enhancing parliamentary oversight of martial law – a measure directly aimed at preventing authoritarian overreach reminiscent of past coups. Yet, the PPP's refusal to participate in the vote, despite the clear public demand for constitutional reform, has derailed this vital process.

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If you want to amend the constitution, Lee Jae-myung must first declare that he will not seek re-election.

The PPP's justification, spearheaded by spokesperson Kwak Gyu-taek and leader Jang Dong-hyuk, parrots unfounded accusations that the amendment is a ploy by the Democratic Party to enable presidential term extension. This narrative, as The Hankyoreh points out, is a deliberate distortion. The amendment's core provisions focus on strengthening parliamentary approval for martial law declarations and enshrining the spirit of democratic movements like the May 18 Uprising. These are not partisan issues but fundamental democratic principles that have broad support across society.

Our editorial stance is clear: the PPP's insistence on a "comprehensive" amendment in the latter half of the current National Assembly, which inevitably involves contentious power structure reforms, ignores the lessons of past failed attempts. The public, as indicated by recent polls showing strong support for constitutional revision, desires action. The Hankyoreh urges the PPP to abandon its "scheming" and "sophistry" and heed the "people's voice."

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Pushing for a constitutional amendment that suits your taste by wielding the power of the majority is an act of betraying the people and a direct challenge to the sovereign.

This incident highlights a worrying trend where a significant political party prioritizes narrow partisan interests over national democratic progress. The Hankyoreh believes that constitutional reform is not a matter of political strategy but a necessary step to solidify South Korea's democratic foundations. The PPP's actions not only undermine this process but also demonstrate a disregard for the clear mandate expressed by the electorate.

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The PPP officially proposed again that the 22nd National Assembly's latter half form a special committee on constitutional amendment to discuss a comprehensive amendment, from the preamble to the power structure reform.