Democratic Party Elects Kim Jin-pyo as Speaker Candidate for Second Half of National Assembly... Kim Young-joo as Deputy Speaker Candidate

Kim Jin-pyo "A National Assembly Where Separation of Powers Works"
Kim Young-joo "I Will Be a Communication Messenger"

Kim Jin-pyo, a candidate for the Speaker of the National Assembly and a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the members' meeting held on the 24th at the National Assembly for the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] The Democratic Party of Korea has selected Kim Jin-pyo, a five-term lawmaker, as its candidate for the Speaker of the National Assembly for the second half of the term. Kim Young-joo, a four-term lawmaker, was nominated as the candidate for Deputy Speaker.

The Democratic Party's Speaker and Deputy Speaker Election Subcommittee held a virtual party caucus at the National Assembly on the 24th and announced the results of the electoral college vote for the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.

In the vote conducted by the committee that day, the total number of votes cast was 166, with a turnout rate of 99.4%.

Kim Jin-pyo, a five-term lawmaker, has previously served as Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Deputy Prime Minister for Education, and floor leader of the Democratic Party. Kim Young-joo, a four-term lawmaker, has served as Minister of Employment and Labor and as a Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party.

Upon being selected as the candidate for Speaker, Kim Jin-pyo told reporters, "I sincerely thank my fellow lawmakers who elected me as our party's candidate for Speaker," adding, "I will do my best to create a National Assembly where the principle of separation of powers, which is fundamental to democracy, works firmly; where each lawmaker can fully demonstrate their capabilities; and where, from the perspective of the people, many achievements can be made in a National Assembly focused on people’s livelihoods."

Regarding a question about the "neutrality of the Speaker," he said, "I have been affiliated with the Democratic Party for the past 20 years without ever leaving, serving the party in various positions and receiving great favor from the party. However, once elected as Speaker, it is true that I must relinquish party membership and fulfill the role of representing the National Assembly. I believe doing this well is the way to support the Democratic Party."

When asked how to overcome the current situation of a minority ruling party and majority opposition, Kim said, "For the National Assembly to gain more trust and love from the people, the ruling and opposition parties must cooperate well, reach agreements on policies related to people’s livelihoods and reform tasks, and handle them properly. Cooperation is important," he emphasized.

Earlier, on the 13th, Kim Young-joo announced her candidacy for Deputy Speaker, stating, "To become a National Assembly that prioritizes people’s livelihoods and improves the lives of the people, continuous communication and dialogue between the ruling and opposition parties are necessary," and added, "I will be a messenger of communication as Deputy Speaker."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.