National Assembly Speaker Cho Jeong-sik: 'Constitutional Amendment Discussions to Get on Track Next Year'

National Assembly Speaker Cho Jeong-sik stated today (July 28) regarding the constitutional amendment issue, "We will form a bipartisan special committee on constitutional amendment in the National Assembly and bring discussions on the amendment onto the right track next year."

During his first press conference since taking office held at the National Assembly today, Speaker Cho emphasized, "We will calmly and boldly push forward with the constitutional amendment as I proposed to the public on the last Constitution Day."

Previously, Speaker Cho stated in his congratulatory address for the 78th Constitution Day on July 17, "Let us prepare a constitutional amendment for popular sovereignty in 2027 and finalize the 10th constitutional amendment within the current 22nd National Assembly (until May 29, 2028)."

At the time, he cited the key contents of the amendment as ▲ including the spirit of the May 18 Democratization Movement in the preamble of the Constitution ▲ restricting the president's right to declare martial law ▲ reorganizing the power structure, and ▲ reforming election management.

Speaker Cho said, "We will soon launch an Advisory Committee on Constitutional Amendment directly under the Speaker to organize the roadmap and agenda for the amendment," adding, "We will build a digital platform that allows the public to directly participate in the discussion process."

Speaker Cho also mentioned, "I will not forget for a moment the people's command to create a hardworking National Assembly that delivers results," and stated, "Going forward, bills that have passed the standing committees and the Legislation and Judiciary Committee and reached the plenary session will in principle be processed within the corresponding session."

He continued, "We will swiftly put stalled livelihood and reform legislation on track," emphasizing, "We must immediately pass the amendment to the Framework Act on Carbon Neutrality, which has received a decision of nonconformity to the Constitution, by the end of August."

Presenting "A National Assembly Opening the Future with the People" as the slogan for the second half of the 22nd National Assembly, Speaker Cho explained, "It is a promise that the National Assembly will solidly establish popular sovereignty and open a future of public happiness and national prosperity."

He also presented four major visions: "A popular sovereignty National Assembly realized through participation," "A livelihood-responsive National Assembly protecting our lives," "A future-leaping National Assembly of growth and prosperity," and "A national-interest diplomacy National Assembly of peace and prosperity."

Specifically, Speaker Cho said, "The National Assembly will institutionalize the democracy safeguarded by the people," adding, "We will designate December 3, when the people saved the Constitution and democracy through their dedication, as 'Popular Sovereignty Day.'"

Furthermore, he emphasized, "We will regularize plenary sessions to enhance predictability and establish a 'Livelihood Legislation Processing Week' to promptly handle bills directly related to the people's lives and safety," and "We will timely complete legislation for future cutting-edge industries that will sustain South Korea's future, such as AI, semiconductors, biotechnology, and K-culture."

He went on to say, "Centered around the newly established Diplomatic and Security Secretariat in the National Assembly, the National Interest Diplomacy Advisory Committee as a think tank, and the upcoming Diplomatic and Security Strategy Center, we will build the strategy and system for parliamentary diplomacy," and added, "Regarding the 'Inter-Korean Parliamentary Talks' proposed on Constitution Day, we will not rush but patiently seek a path to peace."

In addition, he promised the operation of a bipartisan consultative body for livelihood legislation, pushing for the construction of the National Assembly Sejong Building, passing the special law on the administrative capital within the year, and building a Gwangju branch of the National Assembly Library.
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.