President urges constitutional revision at Busan-Masan Democratic Uprising anniversary

The Korea Times - Oct 16, 2026

President Lee Jae Myung stressed the need for constitutional revision, Friday, on the 47th anniversary of the pro-democracy uprising in Busan and Masan — the latter now part of Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province — renewing his push for amendments despite political disputes over presidential powers and reelection rules. Speaking at Busan City Hall during a ceremony commemorating the uprising, Lee urged lawmakers to begin discussions a day after again dismissing claims on X that his push for constitutional revision was intended to allow him to seek another term. “The Busan-Masan uprising did more than bring an end to a dictatorship,” he said, tracing its legacy through subsequent pro-democracy movements, including the May 1980 Gwangju uprising, the June Democratic Uprising of 1987 and protests against then-President Yoon Suk Yeol’s Dec. 3, 2024, declaration of martial law. “Haven’t both ruling and opposition parties repeatedly spoken with one voice about including the spirit of Gwangju uprising and the Busan-Masan uprising in the constitutional preamble?” Lee said. “Now

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