Daejung Kim, Jeonnam Superintendent of Education, Welcomes Constitutional Amendment to Include May 18 Spirit in Preamble

187 Lawmakers from Opposition Camp Co-sponsor Bill; Support Expressed
"Hopeful After President Lee Jaemyung's Statement of Support"
Final Decision Expected by National Referendum in June Local Elections

Daejung Kim, Superintendent of Education of Jeonnam Province, expressed his strong support on April 7 for the constitutional amendment bill to include the spirit of the May 18 Democratization Movement in the preamble of the Constitution, which was jointly proposed by 187 lawmakers from the opposition and other parties, calling it "truly welcome and commendable."

In a statement posted to his Facebook account on the same day, Superintendent Kim said, "Although the inclusion of the spirit of May 18 in the preamble of the Constitution has been discussed multiple times and its justification has been repeatedly emphasized, it has been blocked by political strife and thwarted time and again. Now, it has finally borne fruit."

Kim Daejung, Former Superintendent of Education in Jeonnam

He further stated, "President Lee Jaemyung also expressed his full support for the constitutional amendment to include the May 18 Democratization Movement in the preamble during his remarks at the cabinet meeting yesterday, which makes me even more hopeful," thus welcoming the government's proactive stance. He then urged the National Assembly to proceed swiftly with review and decision procedures, since the issue has already reached a national consensus.

Superintendent Kim stressed, "For the amendment to pass the National Assembly, approval from two-thirds of all members is required, so cooperation from lawmakers of the main opposition party, the People Power Party, is essential." He repeatedly called on the conservative opposition to support the amendment "from the broader perspective of correcting history and realizing the spirit of the times."

If the proposed amendment passes the plenary session of the National Assembly, it will be put to a national referendum and finalized during the 9th nationwide local elections scheduled for June 3, 2026.

Superintendent Kim stated, "Through this, I hope that the May 18 Democratization Movement will be firmly established in history and inherited as a history of justice for the children who will lead our future," adding, "I have long awaited this day."

Meanwhile, the constitutional amendment bill to include the May 18 spirit in the preamble was jointly proposed by 187 lawmakers: 181 from six parties, including the Democratic Party of Korea, the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, the Progressive Party, the Reform New Party, the Basic Income Party, and the Social Democratic Party, as well as six independent lawmakers.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.