Democratic Party Speaker Election Begins... Four Veteran Lawmakers in the Race

Term of Speaker Park Byeong-seok Ends on 29th
'Pro-Moon' Kim Jin-pyo Gains Momentum
Critical Voice Lee Sang-min Expected to Foster Cooperation
Assemblyman Jo Jeong-sik: "Reform and Livelihood National Assembly"
Assemblyman Woo Sang-ho Also Announces Candidacy on 17th

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] As the term of National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seok expires on the 29th, candidates within the Democratic Party of Korea are announcing their bids one after another. In the 'minority ruling, majority opposition' situation, the competition to elect the next National Assembly Speaker to lead the second half of the 21st National Assembly has become a clear 'four-way race' with 5-term lawmakers Kim Jin-pyo, Lee Sang-min, and Cho Jeong-sik joined by 4-term lawmaker Woo Sang-ho. Since the Speaker must maintain neutrality, they are supposed to become independent, but some candidates are advocating for the Democratic Party, leading to forecasts that the role of the National Assembly in the second half of the year will vary greatly depending on who is elected.

Woo Sang-ho, who is expected to officially declare his candidacy on the 17th, said in a phone interview with Asia Economy on the 16th, "I have been consulting with first- and second-term lawmakers for about two weeks and received strong encouragement. Through the process of discussion, I have resolved to 'innovate the legislature once again.'"

When asked about the specific reasons for running and his determination, he was reserved, saying, "I will reveal it at the official declaration," but he mentioned his leadership in passing the impeachment motion against former President Park as the Democratic Party floor leader in 2016, emphasizing his strength by saying, "At the time of impeachment, I had the ability to accomplish a great task through smooth coordination without physical confrontation."

A former student council president at Yonsei University and the eldest member of the party's 86 group, Woo has expanded his political career by holding key positions such as spokesperson, Supreme Council member, and floor leader. Although the 86 group is often classified as hardliners within the party, Woo is evaluated as having taken an independent path as a 'rational moderate.' The fact that he does not belong to any particular faction is also one of the factors that raises expectations for Woo's determination to enhance the 'status of the National Assembly' through integration and harmony. He said, "With such (the ability to resolve conflicts smoothly through coordination), I will lead the legislature and strengthen its authority to become a Speaker who speaks out and delivers harsh criticism when necessary."

Cho Jeong-sik, classified as part of the Lee Jae-myung faction, officially declared his candidacy for National Assembly Speaker the day before. Among the 5-term lawmakers, Cho emphasized his youth and reformist image to check the Yoon Seok-yeol administration and stressed the role of the National Assembly in achieving reform and livelihood results. In his declaration, Cho stated, "I will perform the duties of the Speaker based on the spirit of the Democratic Party," presenting three major visions: completing reform legislation, leading the era of peace on the Korean Peninsula, and strengthening the powers of the National Assembly.

However, the fact that he is showing opposition party colors by emphasizing the need to become the Speaker in the second half to be a 'competent alternative opposition' in the minority ruling, majority opposition situation is a variable. Since the Speaker must resign from the party to maintain neutrality, he has openly hinted at being a Democratic Party Speaker.

Born in 1947, Kim Jin-pyo is considered the most likely candidate as the eldest member. As a mainstream and pro-Moon Jae-in figure within the party, Kim had previously declared he would not run, yielding to Speaker Park in the first half of the 21st National Assembly Speaker election, so he is strongly expected to be the next Speaker.

Lee Sang-min, a 5-term lawmaker, has been receiving support from reformist lawmakers by not hesitating to voice candid criticism and expressing his convictions.

The Democratic Party plans to accept applications for Speaker candidacy until tomorrow and officially enter the election battle. According to Article 15 of the National Assembly Act, which requires the Speaker and Deputy Speakers to be elected five days before the Speaker's term expires, the final candidate will be selected at the party meeting on the 24th. It is also reported that current Deputy Speaker Kim Sang-hee is considering a challenge to become the first female National Assembly Speaker, raising the possibility of a 'five-way race.'

For the Deputy Speaker positions, which are elected one each from the ruling and opposition parties, a 'two-way race' is expected between 5-term lawmaker Byun Jae-il and 4-term lawmaker Kim Young-joo. Since the term of Deputy Speaker Jeong Jin-seok of the People Power Party ends this year, the party plans to elect a new Deputy Speaker around the end of the year.