SEOUL, May 08 (Reuters): South Korea's parliamentary speaker Woo Won-shik said on Friday that a bill to amend the constitution to tighten rules on martial law would not proceed to a plenary vote after a filibuster by the opposition conservative People Power Party (PPP).
Six political parties, including the ruling Democratic Party, proposed the bill, which would require the president to seek approval from parliament when declaring martial law, according to a draft posted on the National Assembly's website.
The move came after South Korea was rocked by conservative former President Yoon Suk Yeol's brief imposition of martial law in late 2024.
The draft specifies that if parliament votes against imposing martial law, or fails to approve it within 48 hours, the effectiveness of a president's unilateral declaration of martial law would be nullified immediately.
The bill would also amend the constitution to include in its preamble a reference to a key moment in South Korea's transition to democracy - the Gwangju uprising.
South Korea parliament drops constitutional amendment vote tied to martial law
FE Team | Published: May 08, 2026 21:40:45
South Korea parliament drops constitutional amendment vote tied to martial law
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