Victory with 61 Votes
Representative Lee Yong-ho's Strong Showing with 42 Votes
'Test of Party Unity'
Term Until April Next Year
Representative Lee Yong-ho and Representative Joo Ho-young, who are running for the floor leader of the People Power Party, are attending the party members' meeting held at the National Assembly on the 19th to elect the floor leader. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@
[Asia Economy Reporters Hyunju Lee and Hyunji Kwon] Five-term lawmaker Ju Ho-young has been elected as the next floor leader of the People Power Party. Although there was initially much talk of an uncontested nomination, second-term lawmaker Lee Yong-ho threw his hat into the ring, leading to a direct contest between the two. Ju now faces the challenge of resolving internal party conflicts and handling key legislation against the major opposition party during the first regular session of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration.
On the morning of the 19th, Ju defeated second-term lawmaker Lee Yong-ho at a party meeting held at the National Assembly, becoming the ruling party’s floor leader. A total of 106 lawmakers participated, with Ju receiving 61 votes and Lee 42 votes. There were 3 invalid votes. In his pre-election policy speech, Ju stated, "After much deliberation, I had planned to focus solely on the National Assembly Pension Reform Special Committee, having resigned from the emergency committee chairmanship following its suspension. However, unfortunately, our party’s crisis has not been fully resolved, and I have received many requests not to avoid my role," explaining his reason for running.
Immediately after his election, Ju emphasized, "I will resolve the disputes with former leader Lee and stabilize the party, leading the regular session successfully." He also mentioned expanding the party’s outreach by accompanying Honam and the underprivileged, maintaining a horizontal relationship with the presidential office, and fulfilling his role as floor leader while preparing for the launch of a new leadership team at the next party convention.
Within the party, there are quite a few voices of dissent against the new floor leader Ju. A senior lawmaker said in a phone interview, "While I acknowledge the trend, the party needs to change, but the same people keep deciding and choosing, so everything will end up moving within the ‘Yoon Core Group’ (key associates of President Yoon Seok-yeol). He should step back for a while, but he is trying to hold onto his position," criticizing Ju. Of the 115 lawmakers, 106 attended the meeting, and Lee received 42 votes, confirming internal opposition to Ju. At the floor leader election in April, 102 out of 110 affiliated lawmakers attended. This has led to predictions that party unity will be a major test for Ju.
Former Emergency Committee Chairman Joo Ho-young of the People Power Party holds a press conference at the National Assembly on the 6th, expressing his refusal to accept the position of Emergency Committee Chairman. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@
Ju’s appointment as floor leader for the second time, two years after his previous term, reflects the strong opinion that experienced senior lawmakers should take charge during crises. Especially, the fate of the ‘Jung Jin-seok emergency committee’ may change depending on the court’s injunction ruling. Ju previously served as the party’s emergency committee chairman but resigned after former leader Lee Jun-seok’s injunction request was accepted. If Chairman Jung’s suspension is lifted this time as well, Ju will become acting emergency committee chairman and the top leader of the ruling party. He may face Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, during the scheduled inter-party negotiation group leaders’ speeches on the 28th and 29th.
Ju is one of the longest-serving lawmakers in the party, having served only in Daegu’s Suseong District. His term as floor leader will last until April next year, completing the remaining term of former floor leader Kwon.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
