Justice Minister calls for new constitution to reflect changing times

Justice Minister Cho Sung-tae has called for a new constitution, stating it is time to prepare one that fully embraces the changed spirit of the times and the will of the people. Speaking on the second Constitution Day since the current government took office, Cho noted the nation's resilience in overcoming a recent coup and restoring constitutional order and daily life.

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It is time to prepare a new constitution that fully embraces the changed spirit of the times and the will of the people.

He pointed to the prosecution of coup leaders and a significant rise in the democracy index, from 41st place in 2024 to 22nd last year, as evidence of the public's courage. "All these changes were possible because of the courage and will of the great people who defended the constitution against power," Cho stated.

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All these changes were possible because of the courage and will of the great people who defended the constitution against power.

"Just as new wine should be put in a new wineskin, it is time to prepare a new constitution that fully embraces the changed spirit of the times and the will of the people," Cho wrote on Facebook. He expressed hope that the public and both ruling and opposition parties would collaborate to create a new constitutional order that enriches people's lives, beginning with enshrining the spirit of the Bouma Democratization Movement and the May 18 Democratization Movement in the constitution's preamble.

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Just as new wine should be put in a new wineskin, it is time to prepare a new constitution that fully embraces the changed spirit of the times and the will of the people.

The Ministry of Justice, as the administrative body for justice affairs, will fulfill its responsibility to ensure the spirit of the constitution and democracy, which regards the people as sovereign, breathes in every aspect of daily life, he added. Previously, former National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik proposed a constitutional amendment bill including provisions to explicitly mention the Bouma Democratization Movement and the May 18 Democratization Movement in the preamble, introduce parliamentary approval for martial law, strengthen the National Assembly's martial law repeal right to a martial law repeal power, and stipulate the state's obligation to resolve regional disparities and promote balanced development. However, the amendment failed to pass as all members of the People Power Party abstained from voting, rendering the vote invalid.

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The Ministry of Justice, as the administrative body for justice affairs, will fulfill its responsibility to ensure the spirit of the constitution and democracy, which regards the people as sovereign, breathes in every aspect of daily life.