Lee pushes to enshrine pro-democracy movements in Constitution

President urges National Assembly to begin discussions on constitutional reform at ceremony marking 47th anniversary of Buma uprising

President Lee Jae Myung on Friday renewed his call for an amendment to recognize South Korea's historic pro-democracy movements in the Constitution's preamble, urging the National Assembly to begin discussions on reform as the country commemorated the 47th anniversary of the 1979 Buma uprising.

Lee made the remarks during a ceremony at Busan City Hall marking the uprising, which saw students and citizens in Busan and nearby Masan rise up against the authoritarian rule of then President Park Chung-hee.

"Incorporating the Buma uprising and the Gwangju Democratization Movement into the preamble of the Constitution is the minimum step needed to ensure that we never forget the blood-stained history of our people's struggle to defend South Korea's democracy and the people's sovereignty," Lee said.

"I once again urge the National Assembly to promptly begin gathering public opinion and holding reasonable discussions on constitutional reform."

The ceremony, held under the theme "October Again: The Flame That Never Dies," was attended by about 600 people, including Interior Minister Yun Ho-jung, Patriots and Veterans Affairs Minister Kwon O-eul, Busan Mayor Chun Jae-soo and representatives of organizations associated with the uprising.

Describing the Buma uprising as one of the defining milestones in South Korea's democratic history, Lee paid tribute to those who resisted Park's Yushin dictatorship despite the threat of violent repression.

"Even under harsh authoritarian rule and the Yushin dictatorship half a century ago, there were courageous citizens who refused to remain silent," Lee said. "They ultimately pushed back the darkness of dictatorship and ushered in the bright dawn of democracy."

He said the uprising helped establish the principle that political power must remain accountable to the people and that the state exists to serve its citizens.

Lee also linked the uprising to subsequent pro-democracy movements, including the May 1980 Gwangju Democratization Movement, the June 1987 Democracy Movement, the candlelight protests and what he called the "Dec. 3 Revolution of Light," referring to the public resistance that followed the December 2024 martial law declaration.

He stressed the importance of preserving that democratic legacy for future generations, pledging continued efforts to restore the honor of those who suffered under state violence.

"The Republic of Korea for future generations should be a country where no one has to give up or sacrifice their lives to defend democracy," Lee said, calling for "a true democracy in which those in power fear the people."

Lee's renewed appeal comes after a constitutional amendment proposed by the ruling Democratic Party of Korea failed to pass the National Assembly in May.

The president has repeatedly called for revising the Constitution, which was last amended in 1987, describing the current framework as outdated.

Among the changes he has advocated is replacing South Korea's current single five-year presidential term with a system allowing presidents to serve two consecutive four-year terms.

His remarks Friday, however, focused on the historical significance of recognizing the country's democratization movements in the Constitution's preamble.

Lee made a similar appeal during a meeting with senior presidential aides at Cheong Wa Dae on Thursday, arguing that there was broad agreement across party lines on the need to recognize the movements.

"Both the ruling and opposition parties share the same position," Lee said. "Now is the time to put words into action."

With the president and ruling party continuing to press for constitutional reform, the proposed inclusion of the democratization movements is expected to feature prominently in discussions over a possible amendment next year.

The Buma uprising began on Oct. 16, 1979, with student demonstrations at Pusan National University before spreading to Masan, now part of Changwon, and other areas of South Gyeongsang Province.

The protests challenged Park's Yushin system, which had consolidated presidential power and imposed sweeping restrictions on political freedoms.

Authorities responded with a violent crackdown, the imposition of martial law in Busan, where 1,058 people were detained, and invoking the Garrison Decree in Masan and Changwon to mobilize military forces against protesters.

Ten days after the demonstrations began, Park was assassinated on Oct. 26, bringing an end to the Yushin regime.

The uprising is widely regarded as a turning point in South Korea's democratization, preceding the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement in 1980 and the June 1987 Democracy Movement, which ultimately led to constitutional reforms introducing direct presidential elections.

South Korea designated Oct. 16 as a national commemorative day in 2019, with official anniversary ceremonies held annually in Busan and Changwon on a rotating basis.