Jung Sung-sik Calls for Constitutional Amendment Draft by 2027 on Constitution Day

[Financial News] On the 78th anniversary of Constitution Day on the 17th, Speaker of the National Assembly Jung Sung-sik called for drafting a constitutional amendment in 2027 and completing the 10th revision within the 22nd National Assembly. He said the plan is to form a Special Committee on Constitutional Revision through consultations among the political parties and then prepare an amendment proposal.
At the ceremony held at the main building of the National Assembly, Jung said in a congratulatory address under the theme "People's Sovereignty, Opened by the Constitution" that he proposed "preparing a constitutional amendment for people's sovereignty in 2027 and wrapping up the 10th revision within the 22nd National Assembly."
Jung said the National Assembly is the right place to discuss constitutional revision in 2027, since there will be no nationwide election that year. He added that discussions should begin with issues such as including the spirit of the May 18 Democratic Uprising in the preamble and limiting the president's power to declare martial law.
Jung emphasized that "the 1987 Constitution has upheld our national system and society for nearly 40 years as the result of realizing people's sovereignty," but "over the course of a generation, society has grown and the public's awareness of rights has matured beyond comparison."
He also pointed out that "in the face of the crises of a super-aged society and population decline, the Constitution does not clearly spell out the state's responsibilities," and that "in the era of a major transformation driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI), it offers no insight into how to balance technological innovation and human dignity."
Jung said, "We cannot embrace today's blind spots in human rights or tomorrow's social conflicts with an old framework," adding, "We must not neglect the responsibility entrusted to us by the people. We need to shed the clothes of the past and put on new ones that prepare us for the future."
Jung said he would begin a public discussion process by launching a Constitutional Revision Advisory Committee under the Speaker's office. He added, "We will consult with the political parties, form a Special Committee on Constitutional Revision at an appropriate time, and discuss amendment proposals step by step. The National Assembly will build a citizen-participation digital platform called 'Everyone's Constitution' so that sovereign citizens can become the true owners of constitutional revision. We will create a forum for collective intelligence where the public can propose and debate ideas, and complete a constitutional amendment for people's sovereignty."
Jung also said he would designate December 3, the date of the 12·3 emergency martial law crisis, as National Sovereignty Day. He said, "The lifting of martial law on December 3 was an unprecedented victory for democracy in world constitutional history, as the great power of the people and constitutional procedures defeated the abuse of unjust state power." He added, "The people protected the National Assembly, the National Assembly protected the Constitution, and the Constitution saved the Republic of Korea."
He also proposed inter-Korean parliamentary talks. Jung said, "Securing peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula is a solemn command of the Constitution," and added, "As Speaker of the National Assembly, I formally propose holding inter-Korean parliamentary talks with a representative of North Korea's Supreme People's Assembly to open a path out of the deadlock in inter-Korean relations. Let us meet with an open mind, without conditions, anytime and anywhere, in person or online."
About 500 people attended the ceremony, including Jung, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Korea Cho Hee-dae, Constitutional Court President Kim Sang-hwan, Prime Minister Han Seong-sook, leaders of the major parties, floor leaders, and lawmakers. However, People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk did not attend in protest against the ruling party's monopolization of the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee. People Power Party floor leader Jeong Jeom-sik attended.

haeram@fnnews.com Lee Hae-ram Reporter