South Korean Assembly Speaker proposes 10th constitutional amendment by 2027

National Assembly Speaker Cho Jeong-sik has proposed a significant push for constitutional reform, calling for the finalization of the 10th amendment by 2027 and completion within the current 22nd National Assembly.

Speaking at the 78th anniversary of Constitution Day, Cho highlighted 2024 as an opportune moment for this endeavor, noting the absence of nationwide elections and the upcoming 40th anniversary of the 1987 Constitution. He emphasized the need to fulfill a long-overdue duty by enacting a revised constitution that reflects the people's aspirations and the nation's future.

To facilitate this process, Cho announced the formation of a special advisory committee under the Assembly Speaker's office to map out the roadmap and agenda for constitutional revision. He also plans to consult with political parties to establish a special constitutional revision committee at an appropriate time to discuss amendments sequentially.

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We must fulfill the long-delayed era's responsibility by enacting a constitutional amendment that contains the people's aspirations and the nation's future.

Key areas for revision include incorporating the spirit of the May 18th Democratization Movement into the constitution's preamble, limiting the president's power to declare emergency decrees, reforming the power structure, and overhauling election management. Cho also envisioned a citizen-participation-based digital platform, tentatively named 'Our Constitution,' to ensure that citizens, not just politicians, lead the revision process.

In a separate initiative, Cho officially proposed inter-Korean parliamentary talks to North Korea's Supreme People's Assembly, seeking to thaw the frozen inter-Korean relations. He expressed openness to meeting anytime, anywhere, in person or via video conference, without preconditions, and hoped for a positive response from the North.

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I officially propose to the North Korean Supreme People's Assembly representatives 'inter-Korean parliamentary talks' that will break the deadlock in inter-Korean relations.