'Yunhaekgwan' Jang Je-won's Aggressive Moves... Takes Over the Public Administration and Security Committee Following the Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee

Yoon Young-seok, Chair of the Strategy and Finance Committee
Kim Tae-ho, Chair of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee
Han Ki-ho, Chair of the National Defense Committee
Jang Je-won, Chair of the Public Administration and Security Committee
Park Deok-heum, Chair of the Intelligence Committee

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] On the 8th, the People Power Party held a party caucus and elected five standing committee chairpersons allocated to the ruling party.

Yoon Young-seok was confirmed as the Chairperson of the Strategy and Finance Committee, Kim Tae-ho as the Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, Han Ki-ho as the Chairperson of the National Defense Committee, and Jang Je-won as the Chairperson of the Administration and Security Committee, all running unopposed.

For the Chairperson of the Intelligence Committee, which oversees the National Intelligence Service (NIS), Park Deok-heum and Ha Tae-kyung competed in a primary election. As a result of the vote, Park received 62 votes and was finally elected. The Intelligence Committee allows concurrent membership with other standing committees.

Park represents the electoral district of Boeun, Okcheon, Yeongdong, and Goesan in Chungbuk and emphasized that he would stand against the reckless actions of the major opposition party based on his experience. In his policy speech, Park stated, "Thanks to my activities over the past 10 years in various standing committees such as the Strategy and Finance Committee, Administration and Security Committee, Environment and Labor Committee, Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Committee, and Budget and Accounts Committee, I have developed a comprehensive perspective and sensibility to view issues." He added, "Before becoming a member of the National Assembly, I directly managed a company and, as the president of a central association, I have experience and seniority as a leader who led a nationwide organization."

He continued, "Recently, security threats have diversified and become more sophisticated, including cyber security, energy security, environmental security, food security, and economic security. Therefore, the Chairperson of the Intelligence Committee should not only focus on North Korea but also have a macro perspective that encompasses the whole." He said, "With my experience, seniority, and ability, I am confident that I can lead the National Assembly's Intelligence Committee, which handles our country's security, in a stable manner." Park is also related by marriage to Chung Jin-seok, the emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party.

Ha represents the electoral district of Haeundae-gu B in Busan and emphasized his recruitment to the party as a North Korean human rights expert. In his policy speech, Ha said, "The Intelligence Committee is not a glamorous position, but it carries a heavy and solemn responsibility as it deals with the nation's confidential information." He added, "Therefore, it is only natural that someone specializing in North Korea, diplomacy, and security should serve as the Chairperson of the Intelligence Committee." Ha continued, "For 10 years, our party has given me many opportunities in areas such as North Korean information, human rights, defense, and diplomacy." He said, "Thanks to that, I took the lead in passing the North Korean Human Rights Act and dissolving the Unified Progressive Party, and gained significant experience serving as the secretary of the National Defense Committee and Intelligence Committee, as well as a member of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee." He also stated, "I will play a role in the National Assembly to change public perception of the NIS and raise the honor of its agents," and "I will improve the problem of the lack of a control tower in the cyber security field and establish a system to protect national security and citizens' property from North Korean hacking."

The term of the standing committee chairpersons elected this time will last until the end of the 21st National Assembly in late May 2024. However, the Chairperson of the Administration and Security Committee will serve only until May next year, according to the agreement between the ruling and opposition floor leaders during the negotiation of the original organization in July. From June, the Administration and Security Committee will be transferred to the Democratic Party of Korea, and the People Power Party will take charge of the Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Committee.