President Lee Jae-myung's Constitution Day Message, A Country Where the People Are the Owners

The Constitutional Spirit and Historical Significance of Constitution Day

The Constitution of the Republic of Korea is the highest norm of the state, established in the name of the people for the first time after liberation on July 17, 1948. The declaration in Article 1, Section 2, stating 'All power originates from the people,' is not merely a declarative phrase but a core principle of democracy that has been repeatedly summoned throughout the political and social change processes in Korea. This principle of popular sovereignty has served as the basis for the people to act as the subjects of sovereignty at critical turning points in modern Korean history, from the April 19 revolution to the June uprising and the candlelight citizen revolution. Constitution Day is a day to honor this constitutional spirit. It should not only be a day to commemorate the past enactment of the constitution but also an opportunity to check whether that spirit is properly implemented in the current governance and social order. It should be a day to reflect on how the values inscribed in the legal texts operate within real institutions, operating methods, and political actions. In this regard, there is a constant demand for Constitution Day to function not as a formal commemoration but as a 'Day of Constitutional Governance' that checks the survival of the spirit of the Constitution.

Key points of President Lee Jae-myung's Constitution Day message

On July 17, 2025, marking the 77th anniversary of the Constitution Day, President Lee Jae-myung strongly raised the necessity of constitutional amendment that aligns with the spirit of the Constitution and the new era through a social media message. The President emphasized, 'The Constitution, created 77 years ago by the will of the people, boldly proclaimed the principle of sovereignty that 'all power comes from the people' and reminded us that the Constitution has been the foundation supporting the Republic of Korea and the benchmark for overcoming crises. President Lee Jae-myung particularly stated, 'The great people of Korea have realized the spirit of the Constitution, which was confined within the legal text, in reality by overcoming numerous adversities and trials,' emphasizing that the people are not mere passive recipients of legal order, but active practitioners of the Constitution. The mention of upholding constitutional principles through peaceful and orderly resolution even in the unprecedented national crisis of the December 3rd rebellion is interpreted as a reaffirmation that the rule of law and democratic order are the last bastions of politics in the Republic of Korea. The core of this message is the proposal for constitutional amendment, stating, 'It is now time to reorganize and refine the Constitution to match the changed reality.' The Constitution is a vessel that contains the spirit of the times, and a Constitution that cannot reflect the changed social reality and the expectations of the people loses its institutional function. The President stressed that the Constitution should not be bound to the order of the past and must become a 'living promise' that the people can feel.

Direction of Constitutional Amendment Proposed by the President

The constitutional reform direction proposed by President Lee Jae-myung can be summarized in five key pillars. The first is the inclusion of the May 18th Democracy Movement in the preamble of the Constitution. This means formalizing the Gwangju uprising, which was a significant milestone in the history of Korean democracy, as a constitutional value, thereby clarifying the starting point of democracy. The preamble of the Constitution is a declaration that defines the identity of the nation, and the proposal to include May 18th aims to achieve justice for the past and to re-establish the legitimacy of democracy. The second is the strengthening of basic national rights. In modern society, individual rights are not adequately addressed only through traditional rights such as the right to life, property rights, and freedom of expression. New rights such as digital information rights, algorithm transparency, personal data protection rights, environmental rights, and gender equality rights are emerging. The Constitution should be able to accommodate these contemporary demands for rights, and President Lee emphasized this as a "change that citizens can feel." The third is the expansion of local autonomy and decentralization. A central government-centered administrative system has limitations in guaranteeing the diversity and autonomy of regions. The President has suggested that a constitutional basis should be strengthened so that local governments can have real authority and establish regional development strategies. The fourth is the reform of power institutions. The operation of state power institutions such as the prosecution, police, and National Intelligence Service can directly or indirectly limit the freedoms and rights of the people. President Lee has stated that the Constitution should clearly regulate the powers of these institutions and that they should be under the control of the citizens. Finally, he emphasized that constitutional reform should be a declaration for building a just and future-oriented state. It embodies the will that the Constitution should not merely be a list of legal texts, but rather a political and philosophical declaration that concretely reveals the values that society should pursue.

Emphasis on the Role of the National Assembly as the Driving Force Behind Constitutional Amendment Initiatives

President Lee Jae-Myung has clearly designated the National Assembly as the主体 to discuss constitutional amendments. This distinguishes his approach from that of former President Moon Jae-In, who directly proposed a constitutional amendment in 2018. The president stated, "I am pinning my hopes on the National Assembly's great journey of constitutional amendment and will work hard together as president." This indicates that instead of the executive branch leading the constitutional amendment process, the National Assembly, as the representative body of the citizens, will take center stage, with the president playing a supportive role. In line with this, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-Sik plans to establish a special committee for constitutional amendment in the second half of the year. He has stated that the first stage of the amendment will focus on restructuring power and decentralization, and he intends to link the national referendum to the 2026 general or local elections. He mentioned that discussions could include issues such as separating National Assembly elections from presidential elections and potentially adopting a four-year term system for presidents or a decentralized power structure.

Political Reactions and Possibilities for Social Discussion

The political arena is showing mixed reactions to the president's proposal for constitutional amendments. Within the ruling party, there is a recognition of the need for a national directional shift, and there is a relatively formed consensus on the necessity for decentralization and reforms in power institutions. On the other hand, some members of the opposition are raising doubts that the discussion on constitutional amendments could be a strategic approach to overcome the declining approval ratings of the administration. Additionally, the opposition expresses concern that if the discussion on constitutional amendments leads towards restructuring the power framework, such as a parliamentary system or a dual executive system, it could be seen as an attempt to favorably reshape the structure for the re-election of the administration. In this context, there is a rising call for the discussion on constitutional amendments to transcend political interests, and to secure social trust through public participation and the process of public discourse.

Systematic Practices Towards a Country Where the People Are the Owners

The emphasis of President Lee Jae-myung on a 'country where the people are the masters' is not just a rhetorical expression, but signifies a political order where sovereignty is institutionally and realistically implemented. For this to happen, the rights enshrined in the Constitution must be realized in everyday life, and there needs to be a structure in which the will of the people is reflected throughout the entire process of national governance. Such a structure cannot be achieved solely through changes in power structure or modifications of wording. It requires substantial improvements across legislation, administration, and judiciary, strengthening participation systems for gathering public opinions, and increasing transparency in the policymaking process through public deliberation. In particular, constitutional amendments should be based on the consensus and participation of society as a whole. Various deliberative models such as national forums, citizen representative meetings, and expert public hearings are being proposed for this purpose.

Conclusion

President Lee Jae-myung's message on the Constitution Day is not just a commemorative statement but a timely proposal that demands a diagnosis and reconstruction of the entire constitutional order. If the current constitution was created in the environment of industrialization and the Cold War in the mid-20th century, the constitution of the 21st century must align with the values of a digital society, polarization, climate crisis, and human rights. Constitutional reform should not become a means for the benefit of specific political forces, but must be designed and implemented solely with the people at its center. As we revisit the constitution on this Constitution Day, South Korea stands at the threshold of an institutional transition toward a nation where the people are once again the masters.