South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has reiterated his call for constitutional amendments to officially recognize the country’s seminal pro-democracy movements. During a ceremony in Busan commemorating the 47th anniversary of the 1979 Buma uprising, Lee urged the National Assembly to initiate discussions on constitutional reform.
President Lee emphasized the importance of enshrining the Buma uprising and the May 1980 Gwangju Democratization Movement in the Constitution’s preamble. He argued that such recognition would honor the legacy of those who bravely fought against authoritarian rule and help preserve the principles of democracy and popular sovereignty in South Korea.
The Buma uprising, which began on October 16, 1979, at Pusan National University, marked a significant moment in South Korea’s democratic evolution. It saw students and citizens of Busan and Masan rise against the authoritarian regime of then-President Park Chung-hee. Lee highlighted this period, alongside later movements like the June 1987 Democracy Movement, as pivotal to the nation’s democratic development.
Lee called on lawmakers from all political parties to engage in public consultations aimed at meaningful constitutional reform. He stressed the necessity of ensuring future generations are not compelled to sacrifice their lives for the preservation of democracy.
The President has consistently advocated for constitutional amendments, suggesting a shift from the current single five-year presidential term to a system permitting two consecutive four-year terms. Although a previous amendment proposed by the ruling Democratic Party of Korea failed in May, Lee believes that recognizing South Korea’s democratic movements could lay the groundwork for renewed dialogue on constitutional reform.
Lee’s call for reform aims to reinforce the accountability of political power to the populace, preserving the historical legacy of democratic movements and ensuring the continued safeguarding of democratic institutions in South Korea.