Kim Jin-pyo, Lee Sang-min, Jo Jeong-sik Indicate Candidacy for National Assembly Speaker
Kim Young-joo, Byun Jae-il Among Candidates for Deputy Speaker
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] The Democratic Party of Korea has kicked off the midterm National Assembly Speaker and Deputy Speaker elections. With senior party lawmakers having already declared their candidacies, attention is focused on the Speaker team that will lead the 'minority ruling, majority opposition' National Assembly.
Intense behind-the-scenes competition is already underway within the party. According to political circles on the 14th, the pool of Speaker candidates includes senior lawmakers with four to five terms. Five-term lawmakers Kim Jin-pyo and Lee Sang-min have already expressed their intention to run.
Five-term lawmaker Cho Jung-sik is also scheduled to hold a press conference at the National Assembly on the 15th to announce his candidacy. It is reported that five-term lawmaker Ahn Min-seok and four-term current Deputy Speaker Kim Sang-hee are also considering running.
Considering regional balance and age for the Speaker team, the early outlook favors the election of Kim, the oldest member in the party (born in 1947). While current Speaker Park Byeong-seok is from the Chungcheong region, Kim is from the Seoul metropolitan area. Moreover, he is a leading figure among the party's mainstream 'Pro-Moon' faction. He previously suffered defeat in last year's Speaker election against six-term Speaker Park.
On the other hand, Lee is known as a prominent 'reformist' within the party and has been critical of major issues, reportedly receiving support from reformist lawmakers.
For the Deputy Speaker position, four-term lawmaker Kim Young-joo has been preparing to run. In a statement sent to fellow lawmakers on the 13th, Kim said, "To prioritize people's livelihood and transform the National Assembly into one that improves citizens' lives, continuous communication and dialogue between the ruling and opposition parties are essential," adding, "I will become a messenger of communication as Deputy Speaker. I will devote all my efforts to creating a productive National Assembly that empowers the people."
Five-term lawmaker Byun Jae-il is also reported to have recently changed his mind from running for Speaker to Deputy Speaker. However, voices within the party are calling for a female lawmaker to succeed Kim Sang-hee as Deputy Speaker.
The Democratic Party plans to register candidates over two days from the 16th to the 17th and hold the election on the 24th. Election campaigning will be allowed from the 13th to the 24th.
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