"We Also Reform" Kim Ki-hyun, Early Resignation of Floor Leader

Resignation Announced to Ensure Negotiation Continuity
Next Candidates Include Kwon Young-se, Kwon Seong-dong, and Kim Tae-heum

Kim Ki-hyun, floor leader of the People Power Party, is delivering opening remarks at the floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 29th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] Kim Ki-hyun, the floor leader of the People Power Party, announced on the 29th that he will resign from his position as floor leader. Although his term was originally set to expire on the 30th of next month, he expressed his intention to resign one month earlier.

After the floor leaders' meeting held at the National Assembly that day, Kim told reporters, "The Democratic Party of Korea has also reorganized its floor leadership," adding, "Accordingly, we also need to reorganize." He continued, "If our party enters the floor leader election phase during negotiations between the ruling and opposition parties, it will disrupt the work of the new government," and explained, "I judged that it is reasonable to finish the term a little earlier and elect a new floor leader."

It was reported that Kim judged it appropriate to elect a new floor leader to engage in negotiations, considering that the approval of the Prime Minister nominee scheduled for early next month and the negotiations on the government organization law amendment bill, which will be submitted to the National Assembly, usually take more than a month. Kim added, "Various bills related to the new government, personnel hearings, and the handling of National Assembly appointment consents will continue in April, so from the perspective of continuity of work, electing a new floor leader early will make negotiations between the ruling and opposition parties more efficient."

The People Power Party plans to hold a primary election to elect a new floor leader on the 8th of next month. Currently, the candidates for floor leader include four-term lawmakers Kwon Young-se, Kwon Seong-dong, and Yoon Sang-hyun, as well as three-term lawmakers Kim Tae-heum, Kim Do-eup, and Yoon Jae-ok. Among them, Kwon Young-se, who served as the election campaign headquarters chief during President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol's candidacy, Kwon Seong-dong, a close aide to President-elect Yoon, and Kim Tae-heum, who is strengthening his position within the floor, are considered leading candidates. Kwon Seong-dong and Kim also ran in the previous floor leader election, so a rematch is possible.