South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has called for constitutional amendments to formally recognize the nation’s pro-democracy movements, emphasizing their significance in the country’s democratic development. Speaking at a ceremony in Busan commemorating the 47th anniversary of the 1979 Buma uprising, Lee urged the National Assembly to initiate discussions on constitutional reform.
The Buma uprising, which began on October 16, 1979, saw students and citizens in Busan and Masan rally against the authoritarian regime of then-President Park Chung-hee. Lee proposed including this event, along with the May 1980 Gwangju Democratization Movement, in the Constitution’s preamble as a means to honor those who fought for democracy and safeguard their legacy.
During his speech, Lee paid tribute to the protesters who courageously resisted authoritarian rule despite the threat of violent repression. He highlighted their actions as pivotal moments in South Korea’s journey toward democracy and also acknowledged subsequent movements such as the June 1987 Democracy Movement and more recent demonstrations defending democratic institutions.
Lee called on lawmakers from both the ruling and opposition parties to engage in public consultations for meaningful constitutional reform. He stressed the importance of ensuring that future generations do not have to risk their lives to protect democracy, advocating for the preservation of the historical legacy of these movements.
In addition to recognizing democratic movements, Lee has proposed broader constitutional reforms, including altering the presidential term structure from a single five-year term to two consecutive four-year terms. Previous attempts to amend the Constitution, such as a proposal by the Democratic Party of Korea, failed to pass the National Assembly in May. Lee believes that acknowledging the democratic movements could serve as a unifying basis for renewed discussions.
The president underscored that constitutional recognition of these pivotal events would reinforce the principle that political power must remain accountable to the people, aligning with South Korea’s democratic values and history.