Cheong Wa Dae expressed regret on Monday over the failure to establish a vote on the constitutional amendment bill at the National Assembly's plenary session, after People Power Party (PPP) lawmakers boycotted the proceedings.
"We convey our disappointment and regret that the vote failed to be established due to lawmakers' refusal to participate," said Kang Yu-jung, senior spokesperson for Cheong Wa Dae, during a briefing. "The constitutional amendment is a promise made to the people."
The amendment bill, which sought to enshrine the spirit of the Busan-Masan Democratic Uprising and the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Movement in the constitutional preamble and tighten the requirements for declaring martial law, was brought to the plenary session. However, the vote failed to meet the required quorum after PPP lawmakers did not attend. National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik announced that he would reconvene the plenary session on Tuesday.
"With another plenary session being convened tomorrow (Tuesday), we believe PPP lawmakers should participate in the vote with a sense of responsibility as members of a constitutional body," Kang said. "We will consider what options are available within the legal and institutional framework to complete the purpose of the constitutional amendment."
For the amendment to pass the National Assembly plenary session, at least two-thirds of the registered members must vote in favor, meaning a minimum of 12 PPP lawmakers would need to vote yes. While the PPP's cooperation was essential, the party opposed the amendment, stating, "Forces that trample on the rule of law using the power of the majority to unilaterally push through a constitutional amendment tailored to their own taste is an act of betrayal against the people and a direct challenge to the sovereign."
Han Byung-do, floor leader of the Democratic Party, stressed, "We must block at the source any possibility that unconstitutional and illegal martial law could even be dreamt of. We need to strengthen the National Assembly's right to demand the lifting of martial law into a right to lift it directly, and introduce a right of approval. This is about building institutional bulwarks for democracy through the Constitution."
Yoo Sang-bum, PPP's chief deputy floor leader, appeared at the plenary chamber but left after securing an opportunity to speak on procedural matters and expressing opposition. "The number of lawmakers who voted was 178, falling short of the required two-thirds of registered members," Speaker Woo said. "Therefore, I declare that the vote on this agenda has not been established."
