Kim Min-seok backs ‘realistic constitutional revision’ and restructuring of government power

Kim Min-seok used his first floor speech as leader of South Korea’s Democratic Party to call for a constitutional revision grounded in what he described as political reality. He said the process should reflect changing times and public demands while respecting the procedures and spirit of the current Constitution and laws.

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I will pursue a realistically achievable constitutional revision that reflects changes in the times and the demands of the people while respecting the procedural spirit of the current Constitution and laws.

Kim identified the inclusion of the May 18 democratic movement and the Buma Democratic Protests in the constitutional preamble as the starting point. On the structure of government, he said reform should proceed “as far as the people want.” The article interpreted his remarks as excluding a constitutional amendment allowing the sitting president to seek another term, because that proposal is considered impossible under the current Constitution and faces strong opposition.

Kim also put police reform after the party’s campaign for prosecution reform. He promised measures to ensure that investigations into violent crime and offenses against socially vulnerable people do not suffer from neglect. He cited the need to eliminate favoritism toward colleagues, burying cases, unauthorized closures, concealment or manipulation of evidence, and leaks of investigative information. He proposed wider external audits, stricter rules requiring investigators to recuse themselves, and stronger legal responsibility for inadequate investigations.

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Changes to the power structure can go as far as the people want.

The party leader said a special law for mega-development zones would be prioritized in the September regular session of the National Assembly to support three major projects, including a semiconductor cluster in Honam. On housing, he proposed discussions with the opposition and Seoul over increased supply, easing height restrictions near the National Assembly and Supreme Court, and developing third-generation new towns by 2030.

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I will establish a creative, horizontal relationship between the ruling party and the government.

Kim said he would establish a “creative, horizontal relationship” between the government and the ruling party, offering firm support while speaking directly about public sentiment. He also called for cooperation with progressive forces, dialogue with moderate conservatives, and renewed discussions on adjusting the threshold for parliamentary negotiating groups. People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk criticized the speech as “regime praise” and said Kim offered no apology for the housing crisis or falling stock prices.

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Regime praise.