![National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik speaks at a news conference at the National Assembly on April 27 about a proposed constitutional amendment set to be brought to a plenary session vote on May 7. [Yonhap]](https://image.ajunews.com/content/image/2026/04/27/20260427121535959081.jpg)
National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik on April 27 urged lawmakers to pass a proposed constitutional amendment that is set for a vote May 7, the first such vote in 39 years, calling it an effort to “fix an outdated Constitution and move toward the future.” He also warned the People Power Party, which has adopted opposition to the amendment as its party line, that it would bear responsibility if the measure fails.
Speaking to reporters at the National Assembly, Woo said provisions in the proposal have broad public support, including language to carry on the spirit of the Bu-Ma Democratic Protests and the May 18 democratization movement, stronger National Assembly control over martial law, and a clause specifying balanced regional development.
“This amendment is about fixing an outdated Constitution and opening the door to reform for the country’s future,” Woo said. “If it fails this time, we don’t know when it will succeed again,” he added, urging lawmakers to participate.
Woo criticized the People Power Party for deciding as a party to oppose the amendment and for not attending a joint meeting. The party, led by Chairman Jang Dong-hyeok, has maintained its stance and has signaled it may boycott the vote.
“If the People Power Party blocks the amendment as a party line and it is defeated, then the People Power Party must also take all responsibility,” Woo said. He added that joining the effort would be a way for the party to “move beyond insurrection and be reborn as a healthy conservative party,” and urged it to show courage, saying he believed it would serve the public.
Woo said he plans to request meetings with Jang and floor leader Song Eon-seok to seek the party’s participation, while arguing that support for the amendment is growing within the party.
“I am willing to meet the People Power Party leadership at any time. I plan to request talks with Chairman Jang and Floor Leader Song,” Woo said. He also claimed that several lawmakers, including Rep. Kim Yong-tae, have expressed support for the need for constitutional reform.
Woo has repeatedly signaled his determination to complete the amendment. At a New Year’s news conference in February, he said passing it during his remaining term would be a key priority and announced a goal of handling it alongside the upcoming 6·3 local elections.
Six parties, including negotiating and non-negotiating blocs, have jointly introduced the amendment with Woo. The People Power Party, however, has publicly declared opposition, saying an amendment pushed through while “trampling” the opposition would be “dictatorship.” With no clear shift in its position, the outlook for passage remains uncertain.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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