National Assembly. [Yonhap News Archive Photo]

A constitutional amendment bill, jointly proposed by six parties including the Democratic Party of Korea excluding the People Power Party, was put on the plenary session agenda on the afternoon of the 7th.

National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-sik presented the amendment bill at approximately 2:25 PM on the same day.

Speaker Woo stated, "This is a historic starting point for opening the door to constitutional amendment, which has been stalled for 39 years since 1987." He added, "The National Assembly, having recognized the loopholes in the constitution through the experience of the December 3rd emergency martial law, aims to fulfill its historical responsibility of establishing constitutional safeguards to prevent the recurrence of such misfortunes."

Subsequently, Han Byung-do, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, read the explanatory statement for the bill.

A vote requires the approval of two-thirds of the total members of the National Assembly (191 members) to pass the constitutional amendment bill. To achieve this, in addition to the lawmakers from the six parties that submitted the bill, at least 12 members from the People Power Party must cast a 'yes' vote.

However, the People Power Party has criticized the current phased approach to constitutional amendment, timed with the June 3rd local elections, as politically motivated and has decided to abstain from the vote as a party decision.

Consequently, the People Power Party has not entered the plenary session hall and is currently holding its own general meeting of lawmakers in a separate location.

The Reform Party also joined in submitting the constitutional amendment bill but did not attend the plenary session for today's vote.

Lee Jun-seok, leader of the Reform Party, stated on Facebook today, "Proceeding directly to a vote without making a final effort to persuade is tantamount to burning the political momentum for constitutional amendment with our own hands."

With the non-participation of the People Power Party and the Reform Party, it is anticipated that the plenary session will soon declare a 'failed vote' due to insufficient quorum for the resolution.

The Democratic Party of Korea plans to attempt the vote again on the 8th if it does not proceed today.

Lee Joo-hee, the party's spokesperson, stated, "If today's vote fails to achieve a quorum, we will hold a plenary session tomorrow at 2 PM and proceed with the vote once more."