South Korea's major newspapers on Tuesday voiced concerns about Japan's passage of a bill to set referendum procedures for constitutional amendments.
In an editorial titled, "Is Japan's pacifist Constitution to be dismantled?" the Joongang Ilbo said, "A basis has been created in Japan to amend the Constitution after debate on whether to change the Constitution or not, causing concerns in neighboring countries like South Korea."
It is "only a matter of time" for Japan to rewrite the Constitution since it went into force 60 years ago in 1947, the editorial said. "How would the situation in Northeast Asia be if Japan emerges as an unfettered military power in several years?"
The Dong-a Ilbo ran an editorial saying Japan has "opened the door for constitutional amendment in 60 years."