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🇰🇷 South Korea /Elections & Politics

President Lee Calls Opponents of Constitutional Amendment 'Proponents of Illegal Martial Law'

From Hankyoreh · (4m ago) Korean Critical tone

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • South Korean President Lee Jae-myung urged the main opposition party to support a constitutional amendment bill, framing opposition as support for 'illegal martial law'.
  • The proposed amendment seeks to strengthen parliamentary control over emergency decrees and enshrine the spirit of the May 18th and Busan democratization movements.
  • The ruling party needs at least 12 votes from the People Power Party to pass the bill, which the opposition has so far rejected as a rushed, election-motivated move.

President Lee Jae-myung has intensified pressure on the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) ahead of a crucial vote on a constitutional amendment, labeling any opposition to the bill as tacit support for 'illegal martial law.' Speaking at a joint State Council and emergency economic inspection meeting, President Lee implored lawmakers to seize this opportunity to enact changes that have long been discussed, emphasizing the bill's provisions to enhance parliamentary oversight of emergency decrees and to incorporate the democratic spirit of the May 18th Gwangju Uprising and the Gukje Market Uprising.

Wouldn't those who oppose it have to be seen as proponents of illegal martial law?

— President Lee Jae-myungFraming opposition to the constitutional amendment as support for undemocratic practices.

The proposed amendment, jointly sponsored by six progressive parties, aims to introduce parliamentary approval for the declaration of emergency martial law, elevate the National Assembly's power to demand the lifting of martial law, and include the principles of these pivotal historical movements in the constitution's preamble. It also seeks to mandate regional balanced development. The ruling Democratic Party, along with other progressive factions, is actively lobbying the PPP, which currently holds a majority, to secure the necessary votes for passage.

Who would oppose preventing illegal martial law and strengthening parliamentary control?

— President Lee Jae-myungQuestioning the rationale behind opposing the amendment's provisions on emergency decrees.

Despite President Lee's strong appeal and the bipartisan consensus on many of the amendment's tenets, the PPP has maintained its opposition, characterizing the push as a 'hasty revision for local elections.' The party's leadership has reiterated its stance against the amendment, with some suggesting a boycott of the vote. This political standoff highlights the deep divisions in South Korean politics, where even widely supported constitutional reforms can become entangled in partisan maneuvering, underscoring the challenges of achieving consensus on fundamental national issues.

Our party's stance against the constitutional amendment is clear.

— Jang Dong-hyukReaffirming the People Power Party's opposition to the proposed amendment.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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