South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has intensified his call for constitutional amendments to formally recognize the nation’s historic 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. He emphasized the importance of including the Buma uprising and the May 1980 Gwangju Democratization Movement in the Constitution’s preamble to honor those who fought for democracy and popular sovereignty.
Highlighting the significance of these movements, Lee paid homage to the protesters who risked violent repression under authoritarian rule, describing their actions as pivotal to South Korea’s democratic evolution. He also mentioned the June 1987 Democracy Movement and more recent demonstrations as integral parts of the country’s democratic journey. Lee underscored the necessity of ensuring that future generations do not have to endanger their lives to defend democratic principles.
The president called on legislators from both ruling and opposition parties to engage in public consultations and work towards meaningful constitutional reforms. This push is part of Lee’s broader agenda to amend the Constitution, which was last revised in 1987. His proposals include altering the current single five-year presidential term to allow for two consecutive four-year terms.
An earlier attempt by the ruling Democratic Party of Korea to pass a constitutional amendment failed in the National Assembly in May. Lee argues that acknowledging the country’s democratic movements in the Constitution could serve as common ground for renewed discussions on reform.
The Buma uprising, which began on October 16, 1979, at Pusan National University, spread to Masan and other areas, prompting authorities to respond with arrests, martial law in Busan, and military measures against protesters. This uprising is widely viewed as a critical turning point in South Korea’s path to democracy. Lee believes that constitutional recognition of these events would help preserve their legacy and reinforce the principle of political accountability to the people.