South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has reiterated his appeal for constitutional amendments to acknowledge the nation’s pivotal pro-democracy uprisings. During a ceremony in Busan commemorating the 47th anniversary of the Buma uprising, Lee urged the National Assembly to initiate discussions on this reform, highlighting the importance of preserving the legacy of these historic movements.
The Buma uprising, which began on October 16, 1979, at Pusan National University, saw students and citizens in Busan and Masan protest against the authoritarian regime of then-President Park Chung-hee. Authorities responded with arrests, martial law, and military measures. This uprising is recognized as a significant milestone in South Korea’s path toward democracy. Lee emphasized that including the Buma uprising and the May 1980 Gwangju Democratization Movement in the Constitution’s preamble would honor those who fought for democratic principles and popular sovereignty.
President Lee paid tribute to the courageous protesters who faced violent repression in their struggle for democratic freedoms. He highlighted the importance of these movements, which also include the June 1987 Democracy Movement and more recent public demonstrations, in shaping South Korea’s democratic development. Lee called on lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties to engage in public consultations and pursue meaningful constitutional reform.
Lee has been a strong advocate for amending South Korea’s Constitution, which has not been revised since 1987. His broader proposals include changing the presidential term structure from a single five-year term to two consecutive four-year terms. A previous attempt by the ruling Democratic Party of Korea to amend the Constitution failed in May, but Lee believes that recognizing the nation’s democratic movements could serve as a unifying basis for renewed discussions.
He stressed that future generations should not need to sacrifice their lives to safeguard democracy. By enshrining these democratic movements in the Constitution, Lee argues that South Korea would further cement the principle that political power must remain accountable to the people, ensuring that the spirit of these historic uprisings continues to guide the nation’s democratic progress.