Choo Mi-ae Wins Sixth Term After Close Contest... Prospects as Next National Assembly Speaker

After Fierce Battle, Reaches 6-Term Milestone
Possibility of First Female Speaker of the National Assembly

Democratic Party candidate Chu Mi-ae is campaigning in front of Wirye Starfield City in Hanam-si on the 7th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Choo Mi-ae, the Democratic Party candidate, dramatically won the 22nd general election in Gyeonggi Hanam-si Gap, defeating Lee Yong, a pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Seok-yeol) candidate from the People Power Party.

According to the Central Election Commission on the 11th, the vote count in Gyeonggi Hanam-si Gap was completed at 4:13 PM, with Choo Mi-ae receiving 50.58% of the votes.

Lee Yong recorded 49.41%. The difference in votes was only 1,199.

Earlier, exit polls from the three major terrestrial broadcasters right after voting showed Choo leading with 55.7% over Lee’s 44.3%, but once the counting began, an unexpected close race ensued.

In her remarks, Choo said, "I thank the citizens of Hanam who sent me to the National Assembly to put a brake on the Yoon Seok-yeol administration and fulfill the mission of protecting the people."

With this victory, Choo Mi-ae has reached her sixth term. As the Democratic Party overwhelmingly won the general election, Choo is being mentioned as a strong candidate for the next Speaker of the National Assembly. If Choo becomes the Speaker, she will be the first female Speaker in the history of the National Assembly.

A former judge, Choo has served as a member of the 15th, 16th, 18th, 19th, and 20th National Assemblies, as the Democratic Party leader, and as Minister of Justice. During her tenure as Minister of Justice, she had conflicts with President Yoon Seok-yeol, who was then Prosecutor General.