Woo Won-shik, the Speaker of the National Assembly of South Korea, has reiterated his proposal to conduct a national referendum on constitutional amendments alongside the upcoming local elections set for June 3. He emphasized the necessity of establishing a special committee within the National Assembly by the 17th to facilitate the constitutional amendment process. During a press conference, Woo highlighted that recent changes to the national referendum law have removed procedural obstacles that previously hindered constitutional amendments. He called for political will from both the ruling and opposition parties to prioritize this national issue, reflecting the public's demands for changes in governance.

During his remarks, Woo specifically suggested a phased approach to constitutional amendments, prioritizing key initiatives like limiting unlawful emergency measures, enshrining the spirit of the 5·18 pro-democracy movement, and addressing regional imbalances across the country. He warned against attempting comprehensive amendments that could lead to stagnation, urging instead for feasible agreements that can gain consensus among political factions. This approach, he believes, would allow the National Assembly's special committee to review and expedite proposals the public largely supports, ensuring that societal needs are met effectively.

When addressing concerns regarding the likelihood of passing the constitutional amendments amidst ongoing partisan conflict, Woo expressed optimism. He referenced previous successful negotiations, such as those surrounding pension reform, which were driven by public demand that compelled collaboration among political parties. He believes a similar spirit could prevail in the discussions surrounding constitutional amendments, indicating that this matter could be addressed on a separate track from typical partisan disputes. Therefore, Woo is hopeful for a productive and cooperative atmosphere in the National Assembly to achieve constitutional reform during this critical time.