On July 17, participants including National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik and Kim Byung-ki, acting leader and floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, pose for a commemorative photo during the unveiling ceremony of the symbolic monument on the National Assembly lawn in Yeouido, Seoul. The monument bears an inscription highlighting the Assembly’s role as the bastion of democracy in leading the repeal of the “December 3 Martial Law.” (Photo courtesy of the National Assembly Press Corps)
SEOUL, July 17 (Korea Bizwire) — In commemoration of the 77th Constitution Day, South Korea’s National Assembly on Thursday unveiled a symbolic stone monument on the parliament lawn to mark the legislature’s swift vote to lift the state of martial law declared by former President Yoon Suk Yeol last December.
The monument, inscribed with the words “The National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, the last bastion of democracy,” honors the assembly’s decisive action on December 3, 2024, to repeal the martial law order through a prompt vote. This historic intervention was widely credited with preventing a potential constitutional crisis.
The unveiling ceremony was attended by National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, Deputy Speakers Lee Hak-young and Joo Ho-young, and Democratic Party floor leader Kim Byung-ki, among other lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties.
Notably absent was Song Eon-seok, the emergency committee chair and floor leader of the conservative People Power Party, who has recently faced criticism from Democratic Party leadership branding his party as “pro-insurrection.”
Speaker Woo reflected on the constitutional challenges Korea has overcome, stating, “The phrase ‘the National Assembly as the last bastion of democracy’ has been earned through a turbulent constitutional history.” He emphasized the importance of vigilance in safeguarding democracy, calling on the public to hold the legislature accountable.
Deputy Speaker Joo, a member of the People Power Party, underscored the legitimacy of the Assembly’s action, saying, “The Constitutional Court has confirmed that the declaration of martial law was unconstitutional and improper. The National Assembly’s prompt move to revoke it was a critical step in preserving democratic governance.”
National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik climbs over the wall of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the night of December 3, following the declaration of martial law. (Image provided by the Office of the Speaker.)
Kim Byung-ki of the Democratic Party added, “The solemn expressions on lawmakers’ faces that day remain vivid in my memory. The people led the resistance, but we take pride in having played our part.”
He further warned, “Unless insurrection is thoroughly punished and condemned, it could happen again.”
The monument, located beside the Haechi statue on the National Assembly lawn, measures 5 meters wide, 2 meters long, and 1.2 meters high. It was crafted using natural stone that previously stood in front of the Assembly’s main gate. A time capsule containing records of Korean society in 2025 was buried beneath the stone and is scheduled to be opened 100 years from now.
Following the unveiling, a formal celebration for the 77th Constitution Day was held in the National Assembly Rotunda Hall.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
