Lee Marks Dec. 3 Anniversary, Speaker Calls for Constitutional Reform

President Lee Jae-myung said on Constitution Day, the 17th, that he would designate December 3 as "People's Sovereignty Day" to commemorate the efforts and dedication of citizens who overcame the December 3 martial law. National Assembly Speaker Cho Jeong-sik also expressed his will to complete a constitutional amendment centered on the core value of people's sovereignty during the 22nd National Assembly. The simultaneous commemoration by the president and the Assembly speaker of "democracy after the Yoon Suk-yeol martial law" on Constitution Day is interpreted as a political declaration to establish a new benchmark for South Korean democracy, beyond a mere settling of past history.

Through social media that day, President Lee said, "It makes me reflect once again on how we will protect, in our lives, the values of people's sovereignty, freedom, and democracy declared by the Constitution." He added, "I will designate December 3 of each year as 'People's Sovereignty Day' so that the meaning and spirit of that day can be fully passed down to the next generation."

President Lee also spoke at a citizen invitation event of the Committee of Light held at the Cheong Wa Dae guest house. "We have gathered here to reflect on the spirit of people's sovereignty declared by the Constitution of the Republic of Korea and to commemorate the Revolution of Light, in which the people protected democracy with their own hands," he said. The Committee of Light was officially launched with its first meeting on the 13th, aiming to record and pass on at the national level the participation and solidarity of citizens who stood up to defend the Constitution and democracy during the December 3 martial law.

In particular, President Lee, at the same event, re-emphasized the role of citizens during the December 3 martial law and assessed that democracy was able to be restored. "The martial law made us realize that the threat to democracy is by no means a thing of the past, but something that can be repeated at any time in South Korea today," he said. "We still remember the tense moments when helicopters carrying martial law troops cut across the skies of Seoul and armed special forces broke through the windows of the National Assembly to enter." He continued, "Citizens rushed to the National Assembly through the cold of midwinter, and thanks to them, the National Assembly was able to lift the martial law and restore the Constitution and democracy of the Republic of Korea."

Regarding Cho's remark that "the formation of the Assembly must be completed before Constitution Day," floor leader Jeong countered, "For a giant ruling party to set a deadline and do as it pleases cannot be the meaning of Constitution Day," adding, "Constitution Day is not an alibi for an ultimatum against the opposition." He stressed, "If the Democratic Party sincerely wants to commemorate Constitution Day and reflect on its meaning, it should first reflect on how shameful it is compared to the dignity of politics shown by our predecessors."

The Assembly speaker's will to push forward a constitutional amendment reflecting the people's intent to defend the Constitution and restore democracy was also expressed that day. Speaker Cho said he would prepare a people's sovereignty amendment in 2027 and achieve the "10th constitutional amendment" during the 22nd National Assembly, which runs until May 2028. In his Constitution Day congratulatory address at the National Assembly that day, he stressed, "We must fulfill our duty of the times through a constitutional amendment that embodies the people's aspirations and the nation's future," adding, "We must shed the clothes of the past and change into new clothes that prepare for the future."

To this end, Cho said, "Let us swiftly launch a body to push for the amendment, and gather wisdom through full-scale public deliberation next year." He added, "I will launch a Constitutional Amendment Advisory Committee directly under the speaker and organize an amendment roadmap and agenda." As key contents of the amendment, he cited "inclusion of the spirit of the May 18 Democratization Movement in the Constitution's preamble," "restriction of the president's authority to declare martial law," "restructuring of the power structure," and "reform of election management."

The People Power Party did not hide its discomfort. Party leader Chang Dong-hyun, despite being a National Assembly member, skipped the Constitution Day event and instead visited the site of the "ballot-counting station blockade protest" in front of the handball stadium at Olympic Park, chanting slogans for "re-election over election fraud." He also said that the 17th should be designated "All-Ong Day."

Floor leader Jeong Jeom-sik attended the Constitution Day ceremony but criticized on social media, "They unilaterally announced even the formation of the Assembly, which should be based on agreement between ruling and opposition parties, and are running rampant by pouring out bad laws in an arbitrary manner." He added, "There is no minimum respect for the opposition, nor any will for dialogue and negotiation."