Calls for constitutional amendments are gaining momentum in the Gwangju and Jeonnam regions as civic groups support a proposal to hold a referendum on the same day as the upcoming local elections.
The Speaker of the National Assembly, Woo Won-sik, proposed a simultaneous popular vote for constitutional amendments during the nationwide local elections scheduled for June 3. The civic organization Gwangju-Jeonnam YMCA Council has echoed this call, stressing that the National Assembly should expedite the amendment process. They state that this represents a critical opportunity to push forward the constitutional amendment before it’s too late, resonating particularly with the region's historical role in South Korea's democracy.
Gwangju and Jeonnam are significant for their contributions to the democratic movement in South Korea, particularly noted for the May 18 Democratization Movement. The council emphasizes that enshrining the spirit of this movement in the Constitution is not just a social consensus but also a historical imperative that cannot be postponed. They argue that conducting the referendum alongside local elections would reduce costs and increase public engagement, urging political parties to set aside their calculations and reach an agreement to facilitate this process.
Supporting Woo's proposal, various organizations including the 5.18 Memorial Foundation and veterans' groups argue that legal barriers to a constitutional amendment have been removed, placing the onus on political leaders to take responsibility. They express concern over opposition from certain political factions, advocating that the current climate necessitates decisive actions to uphold democracy rather than shying away from amendments. These voices from Gwangju and Jeonnam reflect not only local sentiments but also a broader national discourse on the future of South Korea's constitutional framework and democratic values.
