An Min-seok "Not Running for National Assembly Speaker Election... I Will Devote Myself to Gyeonggi Province Governor Election"

Democratic Party lawmaker An Min-seok is conducting an unlimited debate (filibuster) in favor of 'Geomsu Wanbak' (separation of prosecution's investigation and indictment rights) at the National Assembly plenary session on the 27th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Ahn Min-seok, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, announced on the 17th that he will not run for the Speaker of the National Assembly and will instead focus on campaigning for Kim Dong-yeon in the Gyeonggi Province gubernatorial election.

Ahn stated in a text message to reporters that day, "I have decided not to register as a candidate for the Speaker of the National Assembly, whose deadline is today," adding, "Rather than challenging for the Speaker to strongly check the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, I will dedicate myself to protecting Gyeonggi Province."

He continued, "The Gyeonggi gubernatorial election is a close race," and said, "As the permanent election committee chairman for candidate Kim Dong-yeon in Gyeonggi, where a close contest that could determine the overall local elections is expected, I will fulfill my duties."

In political circles, there had been speculation that Ahn, a five-term lawmaker, might run for Speaker of the National Assembly. Within the Democratic Party, currently, lawmakers Kim Jin-pyo, Woo Sang-ho, Lee Sang-min, and Jo Jung-sik have expressed their intention to run for Speaker.