President Lee Proposes 'Partial Amendment' After Constitutional Bill Defeated in Parliament; Opposition Refuses Cooperation

An attempt to amend the constitution for the first time in 39 years has failed in the National Assembly. The constitutional amendment bill was thwarted due to the opposition party's refusal to cooperate, despite President Lee Jae-myung's emphasis on a 'partial amendment'.

The Blue House expressed regret that the constitutional amendment bill did not even proceed to a voting stage. It stated that constitutional amendments are a promise to the people and that assembly members must participate in voting with a sense of responsibility as constitutional bodies.

The People Power Party (PPP) designated the amendment bill, proposed ahead of the June 3rd local elections, as a 'strategic move for electoral gain' and did not attend the plenary session. On May 10th, party leader Jang Dong-hyuk delivered congratulatory remarks at the opening ceremony of candidate Lee Jin-sook's election office.