Seoul:President Lee Jae Myung has urged the National Assembly to pursue a constitutional revision, emphasizing the importance of embedding the spirit of South Korea's democratization movements in the nation's Constitution.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee made this appeal during a speech commemorating the 47th anniversary of the 1979 Busan-Masan pro-democracy protests. These protests, known as the Buma uprising, were directed against the dictatorship of then-President Park Chung-hee.

Lee advocated for the inclusion of the Buma democratization uprising and the Gwangju democratization movement in the Constitution's preamble. He described this inclusion as a necessary step to honor the blood-stained history of defending South Korea's democracy and sovereignty. The president also urged the National Assembly to begin gathering public opinions and engaging in reasonable discussions on constitutional reform.

The president's call follows a failed attempt by the ruling Democratic Party (DP) to pass a constitutional amendment in May. Lee has consistently highlighted the need for constitutional change, suggesting a shift from a single five-year presidential term to two four-year terms. He has criticized the current Constitution, last revised in 1987, as outdated.

Lee emphasized the responsibility to preserve the spirit and history of democratization for future generations, pledging efforts to restore the honor of those who suffered from state violence. He envisions a South Korea where no one sacrifices their life for democracy, aspiring to create a true democracy where those in power are accountable to the public.

The 1979 protests in Busan and Masan, now part of Changwon, involved students and citizens rising against President Park's dictatorship, leading to a brutal crackdown by military and police forces. The uprising is officially commemorated in South Korea since 2019.