South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has reiterated his call for constitutional amendments to formally recognize the country’s historic pro-democracy movements. During a ceremony in Busan on Friday, marking the 47th anniversary of the 1979 Buma uprising, Lee urged the National Assembly to start discussions on constitutional reform.
President Lee emphasized that including the Buma uprising and the May 1980 Gwangju Democratization Movement in the Constitution’s preamble would honor the legacy of those who fought for democracy and popular sovereignty. He highlighted the bravery of protesters who resisted authoritarian rule, describing their actions as pivotal in South Korea’s journey toward democracy.
In his speech, Lee also referenced subsequent democratic movements, such as the June 1987 Democracy Movement and more recent public demonstrations, as crucial in defending democratic institutions. He called on lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties to engage in public consultations and pursue meaningful constitutional reform, aiming to ensure that future generations do not have to sacrifice their lives to protect democracy.
President Lee has been a proponent of revising South Korea’s Constitution, which was last amended in 1987. His broader reform suggestions include replacing the current single five-year presidential term with a system allowing two consecutive four-year terms. A previous constitutional amendment proposed by the ruling Democratic Party of Korea was not passed by the National Assembly in May. Lee believes that recognizing the country’s democratic movements might provide a foundation for renewed discussions.
The Buma uprising, which began on October 16, 1979, at Pusan National University, quickly spread to Masan and surrounding areas. Authorities responded with arrests, martial law in Busan, and military measures against protesters. This uprising is regarded as a major turning point in South Korea’s transition towards democracy.
Lee stated that constitutional recognition of these movements would preserve their historical importance and reinforce the principle that political power must remain accountable to the people.