South Korean Parties Clash Over Constitutional Reform

Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok and People Power Party floor leader Chung Jum-sig exchanged sharp accusations during consecutive floor speeches in the National Assembly. Kim had presented constitutional reform as a formal agenda item in a speech, proposing to embed the Gwangju and Busan-Masan uprisings in the constitutional preamble and to restructure the distribution of power. The following day, Chung attacked President Lee Jae-myung’s earlier remarks about a possible two-term system, questioning whether the amendment was intended to extend the president’s term and delay his criminal trial.

Parties Clash Over Constitutional Reform in Rival Floor Speeches

The Constitutional Government Society, an association of former lawmakers, met with Kim after his speech. The group reiterated that constitutional reform should be achieved through cooperation between the governing and opposition parties.

Parties Clash Over Constitutional Reform in Rival Floor Speeches

“The president has mentioned a two-term system, but he never says he will not seek another term or that he will stand trial,” — Chung, chairman

Parties Clash Over Constitutional Reform in Rival Floor Speeches

Both parties remain entrenched: the Democratic Party plans to advance public discussion on the preamble and power restructuring, while the People Power Party continues to demand clarification of the president’s term and trial status before any amendment proceeds. The dispute is expected to intensify as talks on redistributing presidential powers move forward, with no concrete timetable announced for further negotiations.

Parties Clash Over Constitutional Reform in Rival Floor Speeches