SEOUL, April 06 (AJP) - National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-sik proposed Sunday holding a constitutional referendum on the same day as South Korea's upcoming presidential election, following the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Speaking at an emergency press conference at the National Assembly, Woo emphasized the need for constitutional reform to reinforce the separation of powers and to better reflect popular sovereignty and national unity. "We need to strengthen the pillars of the separation of powers for the sake of the people’s sovereignty and integration," he said. "A constitutional amendment is necessary."
Woo noted that although constitutional revision has often been a campaign promise during past presidential elections, actual progress has been rare. "There has been only one serious attempt, and that too was blocked by conflicting interests and calculations among political factions," he said, pointing specifically to disputes over the structure of executive power as a major stumbling block.
He explained that constitutional reform efforts often stall depending on political timing. "At the beginning of a presidential term, leaders hesitate, fearing a political black hole. Toward the end, lame-duck status weakens momentum."
Given the current political transition, Woo argued that now is the right time. "Before a new president takes office, we must open the way," he said. "There is no clearer moment to heed the public’s call for a redistribution of power and to realize popular sovereignty and national unity."
He proposed pursuing discussions up to what can be agreed within the current timeframe and focusing especially on changes to the power structure. "If some issues remain unresolved, we can address them in a second round of constitutional revisions, perhaps alongside next year’s local elections," he added.
To move forward, Woo called on all political parties to support amending the National Referendum Act and establishing a special parliamentary committee on constitutional reform.
He pointed out a key procedural hurdle: the current National Referendum Act restricts overseas citizens' voting rights, a provision previously ruled unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court. "We must revise this clause and ensure simultaneous voting for the public office election and constitutional referendum is legally viable."
"It is urgent that we immediately establish the constitutional reform committee," Woo said, urging lawmakers to act swiftly given the time constraints involved in preparing for a referendum.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
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