Opposition Boycotts Parliamentary Vote on Martial Law Constitutional Amendment

A ruling Democratic Party-led bill on a constitutional amendment was scuttled on May 7, 2026, after the main opposition People Power Party boycotted a parliamentary vote. m. that day in Seoul, but PPP lawmakers refused to participate, preventing the chamber from reaching the required quorum.

Yonhap reported that the boycott by the PPP ensured the bill could not proceed. The National Assembly held the plenary session to vote on the ruling party-led bill on a constitutional amendment amid the opposition boycott. The bill seeks to tighten the requirements for declaring martial law.

It would require the president to obtain parliamentary approval without delay for any such declaration. The legislation further stipulates that if the National Assembly rejects the declaration or fails to approve it within 48 hours, the martial law will be immediately nullified.

Lawmakers from the ruling party had pushed the measure in response to recent political tensions over the use of martial law powers.

The events unfolded as the main opposition party withheld its members from the floor, a move that directly blocked any possibility of a vote. With the quorum unmet, session leaders had no choice but to adjourn without taking action on the amendment. m.

Plenary. The ruling party had hoped to alter the constitutional framework surrounding emergency powers following earlier controversies.