Speaker of the South Korean National Assembly, Woo, proposed the establishment of a referendum on constitutional amendments on the same day as the early presidential election scheduled to elect the state president.

Woo Won-shik, the Speaker of the National Assembly of South Korea, suggested holding a referendum on amending the constitution on the same day as the early presidential election that should take place within 60 days in the country.

According to Yonhap, Woo spoke at a press conference held in the National Assembly. Following the impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol from the presidency due to the declaration of martial law, which necessitated an early presidential election to be held within 2 months, Woo expressed, “I propose that a referendum be held on amending the constitution at the same time as the next presidential election.” Woo argued that it is necessary to revise the constitution to “strengthen the foundation of separation of powers and achieve national unity.”

DEMAND FROM THE OPPOSITION FOR “ANNOUNCEMENT OF ELECTION DATE”
Meanwhile, Kim Yoon-deok, the Secretary General of the opposition Democratic Party (DP) in South Korea, demanded that Han Duck-soo, who is acting as president, immediately announce the date of the early election. It is noted that South Korea has made amendments to the constitution 9 times since 1948. In the country, for a presidential or parliamentary proposal for a constitutional amendment, it first needs to obtain the approval of two-thirds of the National Assembly. Then, in a referendum where more than half of the voters participate, the majority must approve this amendment.

CONSTITUTIONAL COURT MADE THE FINAL DECISION, YOON IMPEACHED
The then President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on December 3, 2024, citing “opposition involvement in anti-state activities,” but had to retract this decision following the vote of the assembly and the approval of the Cabinet. Yoon, who was temporarily suspended from office until the Constitutional Court’s decision following the impeachment vote of the National Assembly on December 14, 2024, was impeached. The Constitutional Court accepted the Assembly’s impeachment request and approved Yoon’s removal from office due to the declaration of martial law. After the impeachment decision, Yoon was removed from office, and an early election for the presidency will be held within 60 days in the country.