DP leader says to focus on ending martial law controversy, not constitutional revision

Democratic Party (DP) leader Lee Jae-myung said Monday he agrees with the need to revise the Constitution, but it is time to first focus on ending social unrest stemming from former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s failed martial law bid.

Lee made the remark a day after National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-sik proposed holding a national referendum on constitutional revision on the day of the upcoming presidential election, which must be held within 60 days following Yoon’s ouster by the Constitutional Court last Friday.

“Constitutional revision is necessary, but ending the insurrection must come first,” Lee said, effectively snubbing Woo’s proposal.

Aside from impeachment, Yoon faces separate criminal trials on insurrection charges related to his short-lived martial law declaration on Dec. 3.

Lee pointed out legal challenges to holding the referendum alongside the election, given that early voting is not allowed for referendums under the current law, saying he conditionally agrees with the amendment.

“If the National Referendum Act is revised and a constitutional amendment becomes practically feasible, we can proceed with it right away,” he said.

Lee said he conditionally supports a constitutional amendment if it enshrines the spirit of the 1980 pro-democracy uprising in Gwangju and tightens the requirements for declaring martial law.

Lee, who narrowly lost to Yoon in the 2022 presidential election, is considered a leading contender for the race. The government is expected to confirm June 3 as the election day during a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.