Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the Freedom and Innovation Party, who had been protesting against the hasty constitutional amendment attempt without national consensus by going on a water-only and then hunger strike, is being transported to the hospital on the evening of the 8th due to deteriorating health. Representative Hwang, who had been continuing his hunger strike to block the constitutional amendment near the Admiral Yi Sun-sin statue in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, even abstaining from water, was moved to the hospital this evening upon the strong recommendation of medical staff after exhibiting symptoms such as low blood pressure. Encouraged by strong national resistance, including that of Representative Hwang, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik announced that the proposed constitutional amendment would not be put to a vote at the second plenary session held this afternoon. [Screenshot from Freedom and Innovation YouTube channel] 

Amidst nationwide resistance, the constitutional amendment, pushed forward unilaterally by the Democratic Party of Korea in conjunction with the June 3rd local election schedule, has been halted.

As a result, the 'movement to block the hasty constitutional amendment,' which has been fiercely waged primarily by conservative civil society and right-wing parties, has achieved its initial objectives.

Freedom and Innovation's efforts to completely block the amendment, spearheaded by party leader Hwang Kyo-ahn (former Acting President and Prime Minister) through his water-only and hunger strike, coupled with the People Power Party's announcement of a filibuster on the constitutional amendment bill for the first time in parliamentary history, led to the failure to re-table the amendment on the 8th.

Consequently, the attempt to hastily amend the constitution without national consensus has been thwarted for the time being.

National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik announced after the commencement of the plenary session this afternoon, "I will not table the constitutional amendment bill, and the procedures for the national referendum scheduled for June 3rd are suspended as of today," withdrawing the plan to re-table the amendment.

The National Assembly attempted to vote on the constitutional amendment bill at the plenary session the previous day, but the vote did not materialize due to the absence of the People Power Party lawmakers.

Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the Freedom and Innovation Party (former Acting President and Prime Minister), begins his water-only hunger strike to block the constitutional amendment on the morning of the 8th, with citizens joining in solidarity strikes. [Photo = Hanmi Ilbo] 

National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik announces at the 2nd plenary session of the 435th National Assembly (extraordinary session) held at the National Assembly on the 8th that the constitutional amendment bill and 50 other bills will not be tabled due to the People Power Party's request for a filibuster. [Yonhap News] 

Hanmi Ilbo Political Desk