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Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik (fifth from left), Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae, Acting Constitutional Court President Kim Hyung-doo, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, and other attendees sing the national anthem during the 77th Constitution Day ceremony at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on July 17. Woo called for a constitutional revision to strengthen democracy and reflect societal changes. / Photo by Song Ui-joo

On July 17, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik used the 77th Constitution Day ceremony to call for a phased and continuous effort toward constitutional revision, while also pushing to restore the day’s status as a national holiday.

Speaking at the National Assembly Rotunda Hall, Woo emphasized that the Constitution should be updated to “strengthen democracy, improve citizens’ lives, and meet the demands of the times.” He noted that Korea has undergone nine constitutional amendments since the original 1948 Constitution, but many were driven by political self-interest—such as extending presidential terms or consolidating power—rather than national consensus.

“The 38 years since the 1987 amendment have seen Korea’s transformation into an advanced economy,” he said. “Yet the Constitution has failed to reflect these changes, or provide a roadmap for the future.”

Woo called for a practical approach, saying it was time to take “the first step toward reform—not through sweeping changes, but with a minimum, phased amendment that the National Assembly, the government, and the people can all agree upon.”

He also urged the government to reinstate Constitution Day as an official public holiday, noting, “Among Korea’s five major national commemorative days, Constitution Day is the only one that is not a holiday. Its significance must be restored.”

Jeong Dae-chul, head of the Constitution Association of Former Lawmakers, echoed the call for reform. “We must design a future-oriented constitution that leads Korea into a more mature democracy,” he said, calling for a shift to a more decentralized system of government. “Now is the most suitable time for constitutional revision. With the new administration entering a stable phase, the second half of this year and the first half of next year are ideal. The National Assembly must swiftly establish a special committee and begin the process.”

Both ruling and opposition parties also issued statements reaffirming their commitment to constitutional values. Moon Geum-joo, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, praised the people’s historic role in defending constitutional order, saying, “Thanks to the people, Korea’s Constitution has been protected.” He added, “The Lee Jae-myung administration, born of a revolution of light, will restore the Republic based on constitutional values and citizen sovereignty.”

People Power Party spokesperson Park Sung-hoon said the Constitution is “the foundation of the Republic of Korea, built upon the principles of popular sovereignty, the protection of basic rights, and the separation of powers.” He added, “Now more than ever, we must realize the values of freedom, democracy, and the rule of law—not through conflict, but through national unity.”