Constitutional Revision

[Anchor Lead]

Cheong Wa Dae is unveiling President Moon Jae-in’s bill on a constitutional revision over three days this week starting on Tuesday, before the bill is submitted to parliament next week. On the first day, proposed changes to the preamble and sections relating to human rights have been announced.

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The presidential office will unveil details of its own proposal on a constitutional amendment from Tuesday for 3 days before the bill is submitted to parliament next Monday. On the first day Tuesday, proposed changes to the Constitution's preamble and sections related to human rights will be disclosed. Parts concerning decentralization of power and popular sovereignty will be unveiled Wednesday and contents on the structure of government on Thursday as announced by senior presidential secretary for civil affairs Cho Kuk.

[Soundbite] Jin Sung-joon(Pres. Aide for Political Affairs) : "The president has ordered to disclose the revision bill in detail to help the public better understand the changes."

Tuesday's announcement concerns reflecting in the preamble of the Constitution the spirit of historical incidents that have taken place in the country since the April 1960 revolution. This includes the May 1980 Gwangju uprising and the June 1987 democratic movement. Earlier, a special presidential advisory panel gave this recommendation to President Moon Jae-in with the aim to have the Constitution better reflect the spirit of civil uprisings. Regarding human rights, the presidential bill is known to include a more concrete description of the public concept of land ownership and also stronger labor rights. President Moon has ordered the government to make all-out preparations to present the amendment proposal next Monday. The deadline of Monday has been calculated by considering the maximum 60 days necessary for parliamentary deliberation in order to carry out a referendum on the constitutional amendment for the June 13th local elections. Rival parties are continuing discussions on the revision but are not narrowing differences - not only about the content but also regarding who should be in charge of amendment talks.