National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik stated that a constitutional amendment bill must be introduced by April 7 to hold a national referendum concurrent with the June 3 local elections.
"There is a fixed timeline required for announcing the amendment bill, National Assembly vote, referendum announcement, and conducting the referendum," Woo said during a CBS Radio interview on the 11th. "That's why I proposed yesterday forming a special committee on constitutional amendment by the 17th."
He explained that if the bill is introduced by April 7, presidential recommendation would follow, and with approval from two-thirds of sitting lawmakers, a national referendum could proceed.
Woo criticized the People Power Party's negative response to his proposal. "Despite this, PPP lawmakers should give it deeper consideration," he said. "It's really incomprehensible that PPP is refusing with various excuses."
The speaker noted he met with Reform Party leader Lee Jun-seok during preparations, who responded that "the intent is good. I will support it." He added that he also met with representatives from the Democratic Party of Korea, Rebuilding Korea Party, minor parties, and the PPP floor leader.
Regarding communication with the presidential office, Woo said he had not directly consulted on this matter but noted that he and President Lee Jae-myung expressed nearly identical views via social media on Constitution Day last July 17. "Since constitutional amendment is the president's top policy priority, I believe our views are sufficiently aligned," he said.
Woo argued this amendment should include martial law approval authority, incorporation of the May 18 democratic spirit, and regional balanced development provisions. "Time is limited, and since this is the first amendment in 39 years, we selected only essential items to 'open the door to constitutional reform,'" he said, describing these as "areas without disagreement."
On restructuring executive power such as a four-year two-term presidency, Woo said there is neither social consensus nor coordination between ruling and opposition parties. "Since this is highly controversial, let's select only items everyone can agree on and proceed in stages," he said, adding that such power structure issues "should be addressed around the next general election after sufficient discussion."
